Only a few chapters left! I fucking love you all!
"What are you doing up?" Beth asked as she noticed that her roommate was awake on a Saturday before 3pm and groggily pouring herself some cereal.
"I wanted to be up so-" Maggie was cut off by a yawn and she spilled some Cheerios on the counter when her eyes squinted. "So I could make sure to catch you before you ran off like you always do."
"Oh, you need something?" Beth asked as she packed a few essentials into her bag; pain killers and her overnight stuff just in case Daryl would let her stay over. The conditions of their new arrangement still weren't all that clear. They had met twice more during the past week and they had remained focused on training until they were in the car to go home. That's the only place where Daryl would hold Beth's hand and be affectionate, and there hadn't been any kisses since the intense one that Daryl had caught her off guard with.
"Well, I wanna know where the fight is," Maggie swept the spilled Cheerios into her bowl and poured milk over them, dropping a spoon in with a clanging noise. "You want some of this?" Maggie shook the box.
"Why would you need to know that?" Beth raised her brows and stretched her arms above her head, yawning wide and rubbing her eyes when they started to water from the strain. "And no, I'm too nervous to eat, thanks," Beth wrinkled her nose and rested her hand on her stomach.
"So I can come, obviously," Maggie looked at her like she was dumb while she set the cereal box down.
"No, no, no," Beth immediately started. "Absolutely not."
"Yeah right, this is my last chance to get to see you fight, I'm not missing it," Maggie said sternly.
"But.. You've been so against it all this time.." Beth perplexed.
"Yeah, I'm still against it, but now you're getting out. Before I didn't want to see you fight because I knew it would just piss me off more that you were stuck in that shit," Maggie shrugged and chewed her cereal.
Beth pursed her lips, sighing loudly through her nose. "I just don't think it's a good idea."
"Look, I could just ask Carl where the fight is since he is an encyclopedia of random information and he would definitely know, but I figured I should tell you so I don't just show up there and throw off your concentration," Maggie reasoned.
"It would still mess up my concentration if you're there," Beth voiced her thoughts. "No matter the circumstances."
"Or maybe it'd be nice to have at least one friendly face in the crowd, Beth," her sister pointed at her with her spoon. "Think about it."
"You just think it'll be funny to watch me fight," Beth countered with a faint smile.
"Well, I can't lie," Maggie chuckled, "I think it'll be pretty hilarious to see your long arms and legs for days trying to make precise movements. But really, I just want to support you, and I'm sure you'll do great."
"Well, I have to win," Beth bit her lip, a nervous feeling rising in her stomach. "So, let's hope I do great," she scratched the back of her neck, shrugging and dropping her arm. "Alright, you can come. But for real, stay near the back and just don't yell shit out or anything."
"Damn, that's too bad. I was gonna pack my pom poms and be your cheerleader," Maggie said dryly.
Beth shook her head and started scribbling out the address on a piece of paper, sliding it across the counter toward her roommate. "Here, you ass. It starts at 9pm, and you'll have to pay."
"I don't get in free because I know one of the stars of the fight? That's some bullshit," Maggie scoffed.
"Actually, Merle would probably charge you more if he knew you were with me," Beth rolled her eyes. "I gotta warm up and get ready. See you later," she flashed a tight smile at her roommate.
Beth secured her towel around her and wiped the steam off the bathroom mirror with her forearm, her hands resting on the counter while she stared at herself. She knew she needed to look the part in order to please Merle this one last time and make the night go more smoothly. So she dumped the contents of her makeup bag on the counter and got to work.
First, she used concealer on her dark under-eye circles that were reminders of her fitful sleep the night before when she couldn't quite get her mind to settle down.
She opened up an eyeshadow palette and selected the darkest shade of matte black to cover her eyelids completely. She blended it out and added some to her lower lash line to create a smoked out and intimidating effect which he finished off with black liner. As she gazed in the mirror she couldn't remember the last time she'd worn that much makeup. She hadn't felt like she'd needed it lately.
After her makeup was done, she went to put on the clothes she had selected and tossed on her bed. Tight black jeans, a somewhat transparent black tank and a denim vest on top of that. She made sure to forgo any rings or accessories for Daryl's sake.
Her hightop sneakers were put on and laced up and she was ready to tackle her hair that was drying into its somewhat wavy natural state. She pulled the blonde mane into a high pony. All in all, her preparations had given her a welcome distraction from the anxiety that she'd felt the whole day.
She put some lip balm on her dry lips that had been nervously bitten all day and she did the last step of deodorant, wishing that she had more she could do to put off the inevitable. But the time had come, and she had to go meet Daryl and they had to get this done.
"Just one more time. Just one more," Beth repeated to herself under her breath as she walked out the door.
Daryl opened the door and stopped in his tracks while his eyes traveled over Beth's appearance. "Wow.." he said after a few beats.
"I look okay, then?" Beth smirked lightly and stepped into the apartment.
Daryl didn't hide that he was staring at Beth's ass and he met Beth's eyes while he licked his lips. "It ain't really fair ta me fer ya ta look that good. I'll be distracted from the task o' beatin' ya up."
"Obviously that's part of my plan, I aim to win," Beth winked lightly. "You don't look so bad yourself.." She took in Daryl's attire of dark jeans and a ribbed gray wifebeater. His hair was in the usual scruffy state. He looked tough and hot, as always, but Beth couldn't even focus on that as the nerves hit her again. "God, I can't relax.."
"Neither can I.." Daryl sighed loudly. "I ain't ever been so nervous b'fore a fight, an' ya know I've fought a lot."
"Well, is there anything I can do to help..?" Beth offered quietly.
His eyes darkened slightly. "Probably not since yer the one I'm fightin' an' all," Daryl whispered. "I ain't ever been in a situation so fucked up, either," he rubbed his arm. "Ya feelin' okay though? All warmed up? I jus' wanted ta meet with ya in private in case ya have any last minute concerns. Ain't like we can talk 'bout this around Merle."
"Yep, I warmed up before I got ready," Beth nodded and glanced around the apartment that she was pretty sure she'd never have a chance to set foot in again. "I honestly feel as prepared as I can be with our plan.. Hey," she shrugged her bag off her shoulder. "Would it be presumptuous of me to ask if we're spending the night together?"
Daryl blinked and paused in thought, lifting up a shoulder at last. "I guess if ya want ta check up on me after it'd only make sense fer ya ta stay, right?"
"It was exactly my thinking, as well," Beth smiled in relief. "Are you ready for this?"
"Uhhh, no?" Daryl admitted with a humorless chuckle. "But it'll feel good when it's over an' yer out o' yer obligation."
Beth agreed with a nod and a wistful smile. "Well, I'll just leave this here and get going. We can't show up together, obviously.."
"Nope, we can'," Daryl swallowed and looked down as he exhaled slowly. "I'll see ya there, darlin'. Jus' r'member ta stay focused an' that we have ta act like we can' handle bein' 'round each other."
Beth had been thinking that she might get a kiss before she left, but Daryl was all business of course and all she got was a pat on the back. Beth rolled her eyes but smiled in parting. She'd get to be with Daryl that night and that was enough for her.
The amphitheater was dank, dusty and massive. When Beth walked down the steps, a few bits and pieces crumbled off and it was easy to see why the place was closed down for repairs. Caution tape and construction cones lined the perimeter, which seemed quite appropriate given the illicit activities that she would be engaging in there.
She saw Daryl across the way talking to Merle who had an excited look on his usually severe face. Beth took her time getting over there and got familiar with her surroundings as best she could in the dim glow of the night sky and the lights that had been strung up here and there. Beth felt relieved that there wouldn't be spotlights on them because maybe that would make certain things less noticeable.
Beth stopped in front of Daryl and Merle and purposefully kept her gaze off of Daryl. It was time to get in character and Merle had to feel the tension between the two.
"Well, look who finally showed up," Merle smirked and looked Beth up and down. "The diva graces us with her presence."
"'m gonna go warm up a bit," Daryl announced and walked off without sparing Beth a single look.
"This is gonna be fuckin' great," Merle laughed and patted his chest. "He can' even stand ta be next ta ya."
Beth cleared her throat. "Yeah, it will be a real barrel of laughs," she spoke sarcastically. "How many people are gonna be showing up?"
"Uh, let me jus' check my crystal ball, idiot," he replied equally sarcastically with a huff. "I ain't got no clue, but I ain't worried 'bout it. The word got out."
"Yeah, about that.. How do you know that the word didn't get out to any law enforcement? It's all kinds of illegal what we're doing here and where we're doing it," Beth questioned with a tilt of her head.
"I don' know, so git ready ta run like hell if necessary," Merle simply shrugged and then clapped Beth on the back way harder than friendly. "Alright, ya need ta git over there," Merle pointed to a secluded area behind a wall, "so nobody sees that stupidly pretty face b'fore the fight. Can' wait ta see ya git yer ass kicked!" he yelled over his shoulder as he went over to talk to Leech who was taking money from arriving people.
Beth shook her head and took a long and steadying breath before going over to where she was instructed. She leaned against the stone wall and bit the insides of her cheeks. She wasn't quite sure she was ready to be punched and hit, but then again, who the hell was ever ready for that. Beth could only imagine what was going through Daryl's head at that moment and if his thoughts were the same.
Having to fight against the one you love in front of a group of strangers seemed like one of those nightmares that you couldn't quite wake up from and had no idea why your brain produced it. Beth would sometimes have dreams that he was back in high school in a musical production and she'd realize it was opening night and she knew none of her lines or songs and had no costumes. Yet she had to go on anyway, because there was an audience waiting, just like in this situation. Of course, in her dreams she never got roughed up during a song or anything. So this had its own set of challenges.
Beth began stretching and warming up a bit more, even though she had been doing it intermittently throughout the whole day. It seemed like nothing could make her shake the feeling of being ill prepared, so she knew she just had to go for it. For such an unprecedented event, there was really no way to predict how it might go in order to prepare accordingly.
"Hey," Daryl whispered beside Beth and made her head snap toward him in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" Beth whispered back, looking over her shoulder nervously.
"Relax, nobody saw me come," Daryl reached for Beth's hand and squeezed it. "Ya know, I saw Maggie out there.."
"Yeah," Beth sighed. "She really wanted to come and after all she's done for me I couldn't be a bitch and make her stay home. Although part of me hoped she'd get distracted by food and forget about the fight."
Daryl cracked a small smile though his nerves were showing through. "It's cool that she wants ta support ya. I don' have anyone out there rootin' fer me."
"I'm rooting for you," Beth raised both brows and Daryl looked at her through narrowed eyes.
"No, ya need ta be rootin' fer yaself," he corrected. "We want me t lose, r'member?" Daryl's smile weakly persisted.
"You know what I meant," Beth shook her head slowly and slid her fingers between Daryl's.
"Ya, I know," Daryl shrugged both shoulders and stole a quick kiss on Beth's cheek, which made Beth feel a little better somehow. "Listen.. When we're out there, I want ya ta think o' somethin' that makes ya so angry that ya wanna hit somethin'.."
Beth pursed her lips, nodding. "Easy enough, I just have to look over at Merle for a second."
"That's a really good plan," Daryl sighed with a soft nod. "Jus' r'member that the nicer ya are ta me, the more it will hurt us. It's twisted but that's jus' how it is."
"I promise not to be nice out there, but afterward I'm pretty much gonna be treating you like a baby if you're hurt. So be prepared for that," Beth smiled in amusement, thankful for the little talk to break through a bit of the harsh atmosphere.
"We'll see 'bout that.." Daryl rolled his eyes. "I better head back ta my spot," he murmured in disappointment and glanced around them once before using his body to push Beth back against the wall with a hard kiss.
Betb hadn't anticipated it but her arms quickly wound around Daryl's neck and her lips moved smoothly in response. Daryl dragged his tongue over Beth's lips, kissing them once more and pulling back, leaving both panting.
"I.." Beth blinked, a stupid smile on her face. "Wow. If you weren't on my side then I'd think that was a ploy to distract me."
"Good thing we're on the same side.. Good luck, an' r'member, git mean," Daryl smirked and bit his bottom lip, a boyish grin on his face as he walked away.
Beth had to work to turn her smile into the tight lips and stern face that was necessary, but she managed to get into character just in time. She was gonna win tonight.
The turnout was huge, just as Merle had expected. Beth didn't want to admit it but Merle was actually good at what he did, though she'd never ever tell the man that to his face. Beth searched the crowd a bit for Maggie but was unable to locate her, but Beth figured it was just because of her short woman status.
Beth and Daryl stood facing each other, each giving the other conflicted stares that they didn't even have to fake. Everything about this was wrong and when Merle introduced them and the crowd cheered and yelled, Beth felt ill.
"Now, before they b'gin, I want ta fill ya all in on a bit o' their history," Merle spoke proudly into the megaphone. "Ya see, these two are the products o' heartbreak, lies an' betrayal. Where there was once love," Merle spoke the word with disgust, "there is now bitterness an' a need fer revenge."
The people ooohed and ahhhed and Daryl cracked his knuckles, rolling his eyes and looking down at the ground. Merle was completely inaccurate but nobody knew it except Beth and Daryl. Maybe Maggie.
"Poor Priss here got rejected by Dixon b'cause she's a huge liar, in case ya all wanted ta know," Merle smirked and Beth looked at him with a tight jaw and glare while avoiding the judging stares of the crowd.
"So, here they are, ready ta finally git the closure they need. Normal people talk it out, but these two are gonna fight it the fuck out!" Merle grinned and held up his hand and knife while the crowd roared. "FIGHT!" Merle declared, backing up into the front of the crowd.
The people immediately quieted while Beth and Daryl started circling each other. They had practiced this; Daryl would be the first to move and Beth would react. Beth didn't have to worry about Daryl delivering, she just had to worry about herself and focus on not being a pussy.
Daryl, as expected, made the first swing at Beth's face and Beth ducked and moved to the side, attempting to hit Daryl in the stomach but getting blocked. Daryl grabbed Beth's forearm and twisted her around so Beth's back was to his chest, kicking her in the back of the legs after and making her fall to her knees.
Now was the moment that Beth really had to get it going. They'd gone over this and there was no excuse not to do it perfectly. Dar got Beth in a headlock from behind and Beth struggled, reaching back for Daryl's hips and leaning forward, managing to flip him over onto his back.
The noise of the impact echoed with the acoustics of the amphitheater and the crowd cheered in response. Daryl put his hand to the back of his head and started to get up but Beth put her foot on Daryl's chest to keep him down. In reality, Beth was barely applying any pressure. But Daryl's acting was good, and he groaned and flailed as if Beth was using all of her weight.
Daryl was able to get a hold on Beth's leg and he pulled her down to the ground, giving him a chance to stand up, stretch his neck from side to side and kick Beth in the arm. Beth faked a moan of pain and rolled over on her stomach to get up but Daryl kneed her in the side just as he'd gotten to his hands and knees.
As Beth awkwardly got to her feet with her fists held up defensively, she couldn't help but think how easy this was. It was just like practice. They weren't really hurting each other, it looked cool and it was working.
They continued on in that manner for a while. Blocking and faking punches, flipping each other over and getting each other into numerous locks and grips. It wasn't getting to a definitive point, but it was convincing enough to seem like they were really fighting if the crowd's reaction was any indication.
Beth felt relief until she spared a glance at Merle and saw his mind working and his eyes glaring hard. Merle knew something was up and he didn't seem happy about it.
Daryl swung a punch at Beth's jaw, hitting it with only a quarter of his strength but making it look hard. It was still enough impact to make Beth's head vibrate a little though and she cupped her jaw for a moment to stop the buzzing.
Beth knew the momentum and convincing moves had begun dwindling as they got further in. They had started to repeat things and it couldn't last like that forever. The reality was, this fight wasn't going to end until one of them was down, and Merle was going to watch them like a hawk until it happened.
Daryl caught Beth's worried look and glanced to Merle inconspicuously before giving their signal they'd established of a blink of the left eye, then the right and then both twice together. To anyone else it would just seem like dust from the ground had simply gotten in Daryl's eye, but to Beth, she knew it meant that it was time to fight for real.
She wanted to grab Daryl and leave, get out of there and not give a fuck what might happen, but instead she did what she knew she had to and she moved her fist back to give Daryl a hard punch to the chest. The crowd started up and tears of frustration rolled down Beth's face, intermingled with sweat from all their exertion. Daryl stumbled back and grimaced when he kicked Beth in the legs, making her fall to the ground with a real groan.
Daryl quickly straddled her legs and held his arm back warningly, giving Beth a subtle but pointed look. Beth used her palm to block the punch as it came and gripped Daryl's hand to twist his arm, making Daryl cry out in genuine pain and cower back, giving Beth a moment to get to her feet. She wiped her face roughly with her forearm and let out an uneven breath. Her entire body was shaking from the adrenaline and how upsetting this was.
Beth had her arms up when Daryl came at her again, but she was unable to block the punch that Daryl landed on her stomach. Beth doubled over and held her hand to where Daryl hit, wheezing for a moment and turning her head to look at Merle in a slow motion sort of way. Merle wore an incredibly pleased grin on his face and though it made Beth want to puke, it was working, Merle was buying it now because it was real.
They both hoped for some sort of distraction while they continued to punch and jab each other and their breathing became more labored. They prayed for anything to get Merle's focus off of them for just a few seconds. But they were not granted such fortune, and so Beth used all the anger she felt toward Merle to knock Daryl off his feet and onto the ground. At that point, the noises of the crowd and of Merle yelling had all blended together into some sort of eery and dysfunctional soundtrack. It set the tone for the tears that leaked down Beth's cheeks and the blood that dripped from Daryl's lips.
"COME ON!" Merle yelled! "FIGHT HER OFF, DIXON!"
"You have to hit me," Beth murmured without moving her lips while she put pressure on Daryl's neck with her forearm to excuse him from staying in that spot for a moment.
"Finish this now," Daryl breathed out, casting a sideways glance at Merle who was looking into the crowd and was as white as a ghost.
"Fuck, I'll have to hit you so hard for Merle to believe I really knocked you out," Beth sniffed and failed to block Daryl's fist when it came up and hit Beth's brow.
"Dammit.." Daryl murmured regretfully when he saw blood trickle down Beth's face, checking on Merle once more. "Ya won' have ta hit me hard," Daryl jerked his head toward Merle. "He ain't lookin'. Hit me. Fuckin' hit me," Daryl struggled beneath Beth and pretended to try to push him off. Beth looked over at Merle and saw that he was searching the crowd with panicked eyes instead of looking at the two of them on the ground.
Gritting her teeth, Beth swung back and hit Daryl's jaw just as they'd practiced several times with both fists. She could afford to do half-assed punches since the guy who would notice and care seemed to be completely preoccupied.
Daryl whipped his head back and forth at each impact with long groans and grunts, kicking his legs in an apparent struggle before letting his limbs go weak, his eyes shutting for effect.
A hush went over the crowd and Beth moved off of Daryl's body, quickly backing up on her knees and putting her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. She knew Daryl would be okay, but his lifeless form was haunting her and she couldn't wait for it all to be over.
Beth turned her head to Merle who finally seemed to remember where he was as he was staring at Daryl's body on the ground. He slowly stalked past Beth and crouched down next to Daryl. "Baby brother?" he slapped Daryl's cheek lightly. "Ya ain't got nothin' left in ya? I expected better from ya."
Daryl slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Merle weakly, groaning as he shook his head and spoke in a choked up voice, "those last hits.. I didn' see 'em coming.."
Merle didn't see them coming either, since he had been so distracted, and so he had no choice but to believe Dixon and the crowd's reaction. "Alright.. Git up. I gotta get out o' here," Merle said in a clipped tone and stood up, looking over the crowd with quick turns of his head.
Beth furrowed her brows, watching Merle curiously while she stood shakily to her feet and brushed off her pants. The crowd was looking at Beth in awe and cheering her name but it didn't produce the feeling of pride in Beth that it had before. If anyone deserved that praise it was Daryl.
Merle walked by Beth, hitting her on the shoulder. "I ain't ever wanna see ya again, kid. Do ya understand? Yer dead ta me, as far as 'm concerned. Leave me alone an' I'll do the same fer ya. But if ya show up in my life again, I got no reason ta let you live," he glared and pushed past Beth into the crowd, grabbing Leech who had the big box of money that had been collected for admission and they both took off.
Beth looked after him, feeling equal parts of relief and confusion before looking over at Daryl who gave her a subtle thumbs up while he stood, and Beth bit back a smile at their accomplishment.
"Hey..." Maggie approached Beth timidly, her hands shoved in her pockets.
"Hey.. I couldn't see you in the crowd, shorty," Beth said uneasily, her voice hoarse.
"That was.. Wow," she shook her head, her voice quiet. "I didn't know you could really fight, Beth. And Daryl.." Maggie looked over at him. "Are you okay, dude?"
Daryl glanced around at the curious eyes that were on them before whispering, "I'm fine, thanks, but we can' talk here. I'll see ya later," Daryl raised an eyebrow at Beth and then limped off for the benefit of the remaining audience.
Beth nodded and rubbed a sore spot on her face. "Please walk with me to my car?"
"Yeah, I will," Maggie complied and spared Beth the occasional amazed look while they walked.
"Oh, stop it. You know it was a rigged fight. We faked it," Beth said under her breath.
"Not all of it.." She shook her head. "Even I couldn't tell that."
Beth stopped next to her car and shrugged. "Merle started to realize we weren't going balls to the wall, so. But then something distracted him at the end. Thank God.."
"Yeah! I saw that," Maggie's eyes widened. "He was staring at this tall and creepy dude that was giving him the death glare. That guy really knows how to make enemies. Even I had to stop myself from going over and kicking his ass when he was smiling his face off watching you get hit."
Beth crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against her car, frowning. "I wonder who the hell it was.. No matter how creepy he was, I'd love to send him flowers or some shit for saving our asses."
"That's pretty gay," Maggie teased and it helped lift Beth's mood. "Really though, I'm super proud of you. You did it and you did it well. I could never pull something off like that."
"Yeah, because your arms and legs are too short," Beth laughed lightly. "But thanks.. I guess it hasn't sunk in yet that Merle doesn't own my ass anymore," Beth mumbled, a faint smile on her lips.
"Hey, Merle doesn't own your ass anymore, but Daryl does," Maggie winked. "Speaking of which, you'd better go meet up with him. I think you actually did hurt him a bit...and he got a piece of you, too," Maggie pointed to Beth's bleeding eyebrow.
"I'll be okay.. I really will be now," Beth said sincerely. "Thanks for coming.. See you tomorrow, yeah?"
"No problem, that was worth the ten bucks, even if I could have gotten a pizza with that instead. Speaking of food, watching you fight and work so hard made me super hungry. Gonna go see what Carl has. Love you," she saluted Beth and walked to her car while Beth rolled her eyes at her roommate.
Daryl stripped his shirt off, feeling over the sore places on his chest and stomach while Beth watched closely, swallowing. "Anything really hurt?" Beth asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Honestly.. It ain't that bad. I got a headache an' some bruisin' an' this," Daryl pointed to his split lip, "but I've had way worse. I can' believe we actually pulled this shit off," Daryl smiled crookedly. "What about you?"
"I feel fine. Just kinda sore and achey, that's it.. I can't believe it either. I'm fucking free," Beth let out a breathless laugh and then stopped and frowned lightly when she remembered that Daryl still was not.
"Hey.." Daryl noticed his distress. "I will git out too, ya know I will," he nodded and licked over the dry blood on his lips. "Do ya know what would make us both feel better?"
"Chocolate?" Beth spoke before even thinking, an embarrassed blush covering her cheeks.
A slow grin spread on Daryl's lips. "Sorry, didn't realize it was that time of the month for you," she winked and chuckled.
"Shut up, I don't have to be a girl on her period to like chocolate.." Beth crossed her arms over her chest, glaring.
"No, ya don', but ta think that chocolate would fix a situation.. Yeah, ya do have ta be," Daryl shook his head with a smile. "I was gonna say a hot bath."
"Okay.. You know that's a little girly too," Beth replied with a smirk.
"But ya know it sounds amazing to ya, don' it?" Daryl raised his eyebrows and beckoned Beth with a finger.
Beth really couldn't argue with that plan.
They sat facing each other in the tub, their legs crossed under the water so their knees touched. The hot water soaked around their aching muscles and worked out the tension in their backs and arms.
Daryl got a washcloth wet in the water, wringing it out before lifting it to gently rub away the blood that had caked onto Beth's brow. Beth bit her lip at the stinging sensation and closed her eyes, her body leaning toward Daryl's obediently. Daryl gingerly cleaned it until it revealed the little abrasion.
"Fer some reason eyebrow injuries always bleed like crazy, even when they're tiny," Daryl explained in a voice that calmed Beth down further. "I didn' mean ta hit ya that hard though, 'm sorry."
"Other than a few bruises here and there, I think that's the only battle mark I'll have," Beth smiled lightly, opening her eyes. "Don't be sorry. You did so good, Daryl."
"No, ya did," Daryl nodded while he looked at Beth. "Ya were so convincin' that a few times I really did feel like ya hated me."
"I was channeling my Merle anger," Beth laughed lowly. "It was pretty effective."
"I'll say," Daryl agreed. "The crowd went wild fer ya. But I mean, look at ya.. How could they not?" Daryl murmured and set the washcloth on the side of the tub.
"Shhh, I'm sure my makeup is a mess right now and I look horrible," Beth wrinkled her nose.
Daryl puckered his lips, reaching for a clean cloth. "Ya know I like ya better without all that stuff, anyway," he dipped the washcloth into the water, getting close and softly wiping Beth's eye make up away, rewetting the cloth a few times until her face was bare. "Now I can see ya," Daryl smiled crookedly.
Beth rubbed her wet lips together and smiled shyly, her eyes traveling over Daryl's face. "I don't know how it's fair that I beat you up and then you end up taking care of me," she lifted her hand and brushed her thumb gently over Daryl's bottom lip, making his lips part. "Does this hurt?" Beth asked as she leaned in, her breath fanning over Daryl's lips.
"No, it don' hurt.." Daryl whispered and closed his eyes, his lips connecting with Beth's in a soft and slow kiss, their lips parting and meeting and their tongues brushing together languidly.
The water moved around them as Beth slid her arms around Daryl's neck, making Daryl lean back against his end of the tub, his arms wrapping tightly around Beth's waist as they continued to kiss. Beth's tongue laved over Daryl's lips, sucking the bottom one while her body shuddered against Daryl.
"God, Beth.." Daryl groaned and smoothed his hand up Beth's spine to tangle in her hair, his breathing heavy as he spread kisses down Beth's neck and to her shoulder, biting the flesh there gently.
"I fucking missed you.." Beth admitted in a shaky voice, burying her face in Daryl's neck.
"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did when ya told me 'bout yer paper," Daryl mumbled and hugged Beth tighter to him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away.." Beth replied and rubbed her fingers along Daryl's scalp. "I don't blame you at all for acting like that."
"'M ain't used ta lettin' myself be in a position where someone could hurt me. I realized I had let my defenses down an' it fuckin' freaked me out.." Daryl sighed, his eyes shutting tight.
"Everything is okay now.." Beth nodded against him, pressing her wet lips to Daryl's cheek. "I can't cause problems for you anymore with Merle and.. We're gonna figure out how to get you out of this."
"I really don' see how, darlin'." Daryl confessed quietly, his chin on Beth's shoulder and his lips pursed. "Now that he lost ya, Merle is gonna hang on even tighter ta me," Daryl stared blankly at the tiled wall.
"Don't talk like that, okay?" Beth moved her head to look Daryl in the eyes. "I'm not going to be mixed up in it anymore, so I will have more clarity and I can brainstorm and-"
Beth was cut off by Daryl kissing her. Beth responded to the kiss with a sigh through her nose, knowing she had basically been told to shut up but not really giving a damn. They kissed for a few moments, the intensity trailing off with a few soft pecks.
"Thank ya fer carin' 'bout me like ya do.. Despite the odds, I do feel like it'll be okay. I jus'.." Daryl bit his lip, his cheeks flushing. "I have a really corny explanation fer why I still feel hope, so I don' think I wanna share it."
"Well, now you have to share it or else I won't stop asking. Come on, you know me," Beth smiled gently, bumping her nose against Daryl's.
Daryl huffed and caressed up Beth's side, looking at her. "I jus'
don' think it's a coincidence that we met an' that we kept on meetin'.. I think ya have a purpose in my life. Not only ta bring some happiness ta it and make me feel things I didn' think possible, but also ta wake me up ta the reality O' what I've gotten myself into. B'cause o' you, I actually wanna git out of this an' I'm no longer resigned ta the idea that this life is all there is fer me. I feel like I could actually have a real shot beyond this," Daryl breathed out and Beth's heart pounded in her chest. "Now, here's the really cheesy part.. I kinda think ya were sent ta help me.. Like an angel, er somethin'." He cursed silently and licked his lips. "An ta think I'm twice yer age."
Normally a line like that would make Beth cringe but coming from Daryl, it was so sincere and Beth knew that it wasn't something that he would say unless he truly meant it. "Not cheesy, Daryl.. Not at all."
"Do ya believe in that sort o' thing?" Daryl questioned gently. "B'cause I didn' think I did. I've led a life that has left me cynical an' without faith. But I don' know, maybe somehow through all o' this, my mom is still lookin' out fer me.. Do ya think it's possible that she knew ya could change my life, an' that's why ya ended up at my dad's shop that first night?"
Beth didn't really know what she believed in, but in that moment while she listened to Daryl bare his soul, it all made perfect sense somehow. "Yeah, I think it's possible," Beth nodded, a tender look on her face. "At this point, I think anything is possible."
"Actually.. So do I," Daryl whispered and pecked Beth's lips. "Yer turnin' me into a fuckin' softie, ya know," he mumbled against Beth's lips, making Beth laugh.
"You're the perfect combination of tough and soft. You always have been, just took you a little bit to show me the mushy stuff," Beth smirked and rested her forehead against Daryl's, unable to fight back a yawn.
"Are ya tired?" Daryl asked, his fingertips stroking Beth's arms.
"Exhausted.. I slept like shit last night and then, well, tonight was quite the work out," Beth yawned again and kissed Daryl's lips. "Can we go to bed?"
Daryl blinked softly, his lips puckering. "Can ya ask me that one more time?"
"Can we go to bed?" Beth tilted her head, smiling. "Take me to bed."
"I like it," Daryl muttered, grabbing a towel and handing it to Beth before getting out and shaking one out to wrap around his waist. Beth took a moment to appreciate Daryl's body, as she always did.
Daryl rolled his eyes and pulled Beth against him once she'd put her towel on, kissing her lips. "Ya always look at me like yer seein' me naked fer the first time."
"Because you honestly look that good," Beth nodded smartly, nipping at Daryl's jaw.
They made their way to the bedroom and got into just underwear before collapsing into bed. They'd already taken pain pills as a precaution and no engagements the next day meant that they could sleep and sleep as long as they wanted.
"Try not ta kick me tonight, eh?" Daryl poked Beth's side and Beth groaned.
"Sore there and I don't kick," she replied indignantly.
Daryl yawned wide and smacked his lips, pulling Beth against his chest. "Yeah, yeah.. Hey, I love ya."
"I love you," Beth replied contentedly, thrilled with how easily they had fallen back into the way they were.
Daryl began kissing along Beth shoulder but paused when her phone started ringing on the night stand. He blinked and squinted his eyes at the bright light of the screen, seeing Merle's name. "Fuck. The hell does he want," he said gruffly. "Sorry, I gotta answer er else ya know he'll show up.."
Beth nodded and propped herself up on her elbow, a nervous and unpleasant feeling twisting in her stomach.
"Hello?" Daryl asked in an annoyed tone. Beth could make out Merle's words on the other end.
"Ya gotta pack up, brother. We're leavin' town," Merle's voice was panicked.
"What the fuck are ya talkin' 'bout..?" Daryl sat up in bed, looking over at Beth as they shared a worried look.
"Fuckin' Martinez, man. He was at the fight an' I know he's here ta make my life hell.. I gotta run."
Beth's eyes widened when she realized that Martinez was the man Maggie has seen Merle staring at. She rested a hand on Daryl's, biting her lip.
"So? Ya run then. I don' have ta come," Daryl said sternly.
"Actually, yes ya do," Merle growled. "I need ya ta make money."
"Ya know what? Fuck you. T'night ya made me fight against the person I'm in love with, ya, I said it, in love with, an' now ya want me ta jus' leave her an' my life? I ain't doin' it," Daryl said angrily.
Beth rolled her lips in, amazed and flattered by Daryl's words but incredibly concerned about Merle's next move. She laced their fingers and waited to hear Merles reply.
"If ya don' come, then I tell daddy where ya are an' yer in his hands. Ya know I have ways ta drain yer bank account an' y'all be fucked," Merle answered smugly.
"I don' need yer fuckin' money, anyway. I have places I can go ta avoid dad, too," Daryl huffed in frustration.
"Ya, like jail? B'cause I intend on tellin' him everythin' yabeen up ta an' ya know he would gladly haul yer ass there an' watch ya rot in prison," Merle spoke grimly and Daryl went quiet.
It took everything Beth had to not grab the phone from Daryl and curse Merle out, but she knew that it wouldn't be beneficial in that moment at all.
"Ya.. Ya wouldn' do that. I'd tell the cops everythin' 'bout ya an' the shit ya done. Ya be fucked, too," Daryl stammered, shaking his head and Beth tried to give his hand a comforting squeeze but Daryl pulled his away and Beth grimaced.
"I'd be long gone by then an' ya wouldn' have no clue where ta find me," Merle replied simply.
"Yer the biggest piece o' shit," Daryl spat, putting his hand to his face. "So what, ya want me ta come with ya an' jus' cooperate an' be yer little bitch the rest o' yer miserable life?"
"Look.. I just gotta figure out a way ta pay the guy off so he'll leave me alone. I'm sure he jus' wants money but I don' want ta give him a chance ta corner me. I need ya ta help me."
"Why don' ya fight yerself an' stop makin' me do yer dirty work?" Daryl kicked the sheets off his legs, closing his eyes.
"B'cause, ya know that ain't how things work an' it never was.. Ya signed up fer this life an' servitude. Ya have nobody ta blame but yerself. So, unless ya wanna go ta jail an' have dad callin' the shots again, pack yer shit. We're leavin' tomorrow night," Merle hung up.
Daryl remained silent and let the phone drop to the bed while Beth fought back tears that were trying desperately to spill over.
"I.." Darulyl shook his head back and forth. "I can' believe this.."
Beth's lower lip trembled and she bit it to keep it still, clearing her throat. "Do you have any options other than the two he gave you..?
"I don', an' he fuckin' knows I don'," Daryl fell back against the bed, the heels of his hands pressed to his eyes. "I should have known somethin' like this would happen."
"You know what?" Beth rested her hand on Daryl's chest, keeping her emotions at bay so she could think logically. "Make a deal with him that you help him get his money and then you're free."
"In case ya didn't notice, he ain't the type ta make deals that don' benefit him," Daryl flexed his fist and groaned at the discomfort in his knuckles.
"Look, he's making all these threats because he needs you. Without you, he'd be fucked and he knows that. So, tell him the way it's gonna be. I mean, he's a father for fuck's sake. He shouldn't be getting away with treating people like this.." Beth grumbled.
"This is easy fer ya ta say b'cause ya are free from him, girl," Daryl looked at her with a shrug. "He can' fuck with ya anymore but he still has the power ta completely unhinge my life."
"No, I'm just starting to realize more and more that he's not really as powerful as he claims to be.. Plus, look at how scared he is of Martinez. He's gonna skip town just because he saw him, Daryl. He didn't even talk to the guy. So.. Use that. Do you and Martinez have bad blood between you?"
Daryl shook his head slowly. "I mean, he may not be too fond o' me since I fight fer Merle, but he was alright ta me."
"So, maybe you can make a connection there and threaten to tell Martinez where Merle is in order to make him let you go," Beth raised her brows, nodding. "Hell, you don't even have to actually talk to Martinez, just make Merle believe that you did."
"I mean.. That might be possible," Daryl sucked in his top lip, releasing it in thought. "But, Beth.. I still have ta go with him first.."
Beth furrowed her brows. "Wait.. Why?"
"B'cause, if I threaten ta tell Martinez now then Merle will jus' take off an' call our dad.. I'll be in jail an' Merle will be free an' nobody will know where he is.. An' I'll still have ta be worried 'bout Merle fuckin' up my life someday if I don' hold cooperate with him now."
"Oh," Beth mouthed. "Fuck, you're right."
"So, I will have ta go with him, make the deal that I'll help him earn the money but then he has ta let me go. If he says no, then I will threaten to tell Martinez," Daryl pursed his lips, processing his words with a shrug.
"And what if when you do that, he says he'll tell your dad where you are?" Beth asked.
"At that point, this apartment won' be my home anymore. I'll be out wherever Merle is, so I'll jus' leave an' he won' be able ta find me ta tell my dad. Plus, Merle will be too chicken shit ta come back ta the city b'cause Martinez might be here. Ya, this could work," Daryl approved.
"So, it'll all pan out.. I know it will," Beth rolled her lips in. "But.. You still have to leave.." She looked down at her lap, fiddling with her fingers. "And who knows for how long.."
"I won' let it be a long time, Beth. If he starts drawin' it out then I will put the plan into action sooner. I jus'...I have ta be sure o' really bein' rid o' him. If I don' stick around until he has enough money then he will figure out a way ta make me stay. I know he will," Daryl complained and ran his fingertips over Beth's side.
Beth nodded and laid down to face Daryl, their legs tangling together. "What am I gonna do without you here?" She uttered sadly.
"Yer goin' ta finish up the semester without distractions an' graduate an' be with yer friends an' not have ta worry 'bout fightin' anymore.." Daryl cupped Beth's cheek, pecking her lips. "An' I will come back ta ya an' we will both have a fresh start."
A single tear slid down Beth's cheek and Daryl brushed it away with his thumb, frowning. "Don'.. Don' cry. This ain't over. We haven't even had our real beginnin' yet, sweetheart."
Beth breathed out shakily and pressed her lips to Daryl's in a sweet kiss, nodding. "I'm just gonna miss you so much.."
"I'll miss ya too," Daryl whispered, wrapping his arm tightly around Beth's waist and guiding Beth to rest her head on his chest. "But jus' think, ya'll be done with school an' I'll be done with all o' this. I can git a real job an' make an honest livin' an' ya can have dinner on the table every night by 7pm," Daryl laughed when Beth elbowed him. "'m kiddin', 'm kiddin'..I ain't too sure if I should trust yer cookin'," he teased and Beth just felt grateful that he was lightening the mood.
"We just have to get through a little bit more, yes," Beth agreed forlornly. "But you have it so much worse than me.. I wish I could help."
"Ya will be helpin' by stayin' here where I know yer safe," Daryl rested his chin on top of Beth's head. "I'll be okay. I will check in with ya every night ta let ya know that 'm safe, too."
Beth yawned wide, suddenly remembering how purely exhausted she was. "I don't want to think about being apart tonight. Can we just shut out the world for a little while?"
"Yeah, we can.." Daryl smiled faintly and brushed a kiss over Beth's head.
"And tomorrow I will help you pack and.. We can just be together. Okay?" Beth mumbled and kissed Daryl's chest.
"That sounds like jus' what I want.. Betj, this is gonna be good fer us. When I git back I'll find a new place an' we can go on dates an' I'll buy ya all the fuckin' chocolate ya want," Daryl whispered sleepily.
"You mean.. You'll be like my boyfriend?" Beth couldn't help the smile that spread over her lips.
"I'll be yer boyfriend," Daryl agreed and held Beth tighter while they both drifted off to a much needed sleep, keeping thoughts of the next day and the immediate future out of their heads.