Did I mention how much I really love you guys?! Thank you all so much!
Beth woke up feeling sore the next morning and somehow more vulnerable. Her arm was across Daryl's stomach and Beth took a moment to observe his sleeping and peaceful face. As Beth noted before, Daryl never looked so serene as he did when he slept. There nothing could touch him and the troubles of his real life were far, far away. If were possible, Beth would let him sleep all day just to see him have that sort of relief.
Deciding instead to just let him sleep a bit longer, Beth crept out of bed to use the bathroom and go to the kitchen to make a simple breakfast of toast and coffee. That was something she could manage without risk. She could feel her muscles and limbs protesting a little with each movement, but she found the ingredients with nimble fingers and quiet footsteps and prepared them as such, not wanting to wake Daryl during her breakfast excursion.
She pursed her lips as she briefly thought to herself that maybe breakfast in bed was a little too cheesy, but then she realized that she didn't want to miss one more moment of being in bed with Daryl and she didn't give a fuck. So she balanced the plate with the buttered toast and the two cups of coffee carefully while she walked back into the bedroom to place them on the nightstand. She crawled back under the covers with a shiver, seeking Daryl's warm body and tangling their legs.
Beth's subtle looks turned into tiny kisses over His face and down his nose. She pressed her lips to Daryl with a sweet pressure, increasing it when she felt Daryl stir and start to react. Daryl's hand slowly slid up the smooth contours of Beth's back and his fingers landed in Beth's messy hair.
"Mornin'," Daryl said in a hoarse voice, his lips turned up in a small and sleepy smile.
"Good morning," Beth whispered and kissed Daryl's lips again and rubbed their noses together. "I have breakfast."
"If yer implyin' that ya want me ta eat ya fer breakfast, 'm totally alright with that," Daryl chuckled throatily and Beth rolled her eyes.
"You just woke up and you're already sassy," Beth pecked his forehead and motioned with her head toward the plate of toast. "The only thing that I don't ever burn."
Daryl slowly sat up in bed with a big yawn followed by a groan. He frowned and brushed his hand over his side. "I feel like shit," he rubbed his face and leaned against the headboard.
"Me too," Beth smiled wryly. "But I guess it's cool to feel like shit together."
"Misery loves company, yeah? Thank ya," Daryl winked and took a piece of toast when Beth set the plate on the bed, biting into it and resting his head back against the headboard while he chewed.
Beth took a bite of toast, licking over her lips to collect the stray crumbs. She could feel Daryl's eyes on her and she smiled. "You stare at my tongue a lot."
"Well, ya stare at me in general a lot. I know ya were watchin' me while I slept," Daryl shrugged his shoulders.
"How did you know?" Beth's eyes widened.
"I didn't.. But now I do," Daryl laughed and kicked at Beth's foot under the covers.
"Fuck you," Beth sighed loudly but leaned against Daryl while they finished eating.
"Do ya still feel okay 'bout everythin' we talked a'out last night?" Daryl murmured between blowing cooling breaths over his coffee.
"I don't think I have much of a choice but to be okay with it.. But yeah, I think no matter how much it's going to suck, it'll work," Beth nodded, taking a careful sip of her drink.
Daryl rested his hand on Beth's thigh, squeezing it reassuringly. "What time is it?"
"Umm.." Beth grabbed her phone, squinting at the screen. "10:37.. I thought it'd be later."
"I wish it was earlier," Daryl said sadly and shook his head.
"Yeah, me too.." Beth agreed and glanced over at the closet. "How do you even know what to pack if you don't know how long you'll be gone?"
"I don', but I ain't like you. I don' need any fancy shit," Daryl elbowed Beth in the arm. "I can pack several o' each o' my basic stuff an' jus' roll with it. See, I don' have ta be all clean an' smooth lookin'. In fact, ''m more intimidating when I ain't."
"Just because I like to look good doesn't mean I'm not intimidating, eh?" Beth raised her eyebrow high. "But.. You have to pack up all your stuff, right? Like in the whole apartment?"
"Yep," Daryl popped his lips. "Luckily I never really moved in. I mean, the place came with its own furniture an' I jus' have a few things here an' there."
Beth nodded, having remembered the first time she came to Daryl's apartment and noticed how nice but bare everything was. There were no personal touches. "You can keep your stuff at my place," Beth offered.
"No, no," Daryl held up his hand. "I'll rent a little storage unit."
"Why?" Beth wrinkled her nose. "You don't have time and you don't have to waste your money."
"I dunno.. That's like 'm movin' in with ya er somethin', ain't it?" Daryl reasoned and cleared his throat.
"Your stuff will be moving in with me, not you. I'll just keep it until you're back and you're ready to find another place," Beth shrugged.
"Alright.." Daryl resigned with a sigh. "Thank ya, Beth," he took another sip of his coffee before setting it down.
"No big deal," Beth flashed a light smile and stretched her arms above her head. "We should get up and get this taken care of now so we don't have to worry later," Beth started to stand up only to be tugged back down by her arm.
"Or.. We should stay here now an' do that later," Daryl murmured against Beth's neck before licking slowly up the length of it to Beth's ear, scraping her earlobe lightly with his lower teeth.
Beth's eyes fluttered shut and she gripped Daryl's arm. "You're not too sore, or.." her thought trailed off when Daryl sucked her earlobe wetly and pressed his body against her side. "God," Beth sighed and rolled so her body was on top of his.
Daryl gripped Beth's ass with both hands and shuddered underneath her while their hips rocked together. Beth panted against Daryl's lips while she slowly traced the curves of them with her tongue, stopping when Daryl's tongue wrapped around hers in a deep kiss.
"Mmm.." Beth hummed in approval as Daryl's hand slipped beneath her panties, his fingers trailing over Beth's lower back and ass.
Daryl cracked a smile against Beth's lips and opened his eyes slowly, looking up at Beth. Her eyes opened when she felt Daryl's and she gave him a look of confusion. "What?" Beth questioned.
"Nothin'.." Daryl rolled his lips in to hold back a laugh, his hand kneading Beth's ass slowly.
"No, tell me," Beth bit his lower lip carefully to avoid the spot that was a bit swollen from the fight.
"It's jus', yer ass is really soft. Like super soft," Daryl's shoulders started shaking in silent laughter.
"Is that a bad thing?" Beth raised her brows and poked Daryl's chest. "You've felt my ass before,"
"It ain't a bad thing at all.. I fuckin' love it, I jus' missed it," Daryl sighed softly and kissed Beth's lips.
"So.. You missed my super soft ass and that makes you laugh," Beth tried to add it up.
"'M laughin' b'cause 'm happy.." Daryl blinked softly, keeping his eyes on Beth's face.
"My soft ass makes you happy," Beth said with a nod and an amused smirk.
"Ya make me happy," Daryl corrected and Beth gave a smile and pout combination. "Yer baby soft ass is jus' a perk," Daryl cracked up and Beth rolled her eyes.
"Oh my God, quit talking about my ass and do something about it," Beth challenged with a firm kiss, moaning when Daryl rolled them over abruptly to take the top position.
Beth spread her legs to afford Daryl more room between them and their lips moved together in slow and wet kisses while Daryl's expert tongue made Beth want to melt into the bed. "I'm happy too," Beth breathed between kisses and little grunts of pleasure.
Daryl trailed kisses along the defined line of Beth's jaw and whispered close to her ear, "maybe I can make ya happier."
Beth was unable to stop the loud moan of pleasure in reaction to Daryl's hand sliding between them to place his fingers on her hot center. He massaged it through Beth's panties with slow and firm passes of his hand, making Beth's toes quite literally curl.
"I think you can.." Beth nodded with a breathy agreement and scratched her nails lightly down Daryl's bare back.
"Yer not too sore, right?" Daryl murmured in a low and smooth voice, his breathing slowly increasing.
"I'm perfectly able, I assure you.." Beth sighed, pushing Daryl's boxers down hastily.
"Good, b'cause I don' think I can stop touchin' ya," Daryl shook his head and moved his underwear down his legs before gripping Beth's and tugging them off without care.
Their naked bodies rubbed and ground together until they were both panting, horny messes. "I want.." Beth whispered throatily, her cheeks flushed pink.
"Tell me what ya want," Daryl urged, licking slowly over Beth's collarbone.
"I want you to...kiss me...down there." Beth said in a wisp of a voice, closing her eyes tightly and gripping the sheets.
Daryl's mouth watered and he cracked a small and pleased grin. "Kiss ya here?" He kissed to Beth's shoulder and sucked the tight skin here.
Beth moaned but shook her head fervently. "Not there."
"Oh.. Maybe here," Daryl traced his tongue over her breast until it reached her nipple, licking around it in a slow circle before sucking on the tip with firm pressure.
"Fuck," Beth's hand hit the bed and her hips bucked up in response. "That's.. Good but.."
"But ya want my lips on yer drippin'..." He licked his lips and bit his lip. "Wet..." He was about to lose control. He whispered against her skin' "Pussy." Daryl lifted a brow, chuckling lowly and slid a finger into her tight channel.
She let out a long string of curses. Nobody has ever kissed her...down there. Beth bit her lower lip, peeking down at Daryl's dark eyes. "Please, I want it so bad," Beth whispered out.
He swallowed hard and watched Beth's face contort with pleasure. "I'll kiss it," Daryl mumbled against Beth's stomach while he spread wet and hot kisses over it. He dipped his tongue into Beth's navel before trailing it downward in a teasing line.
Beth puffed her cheeks, releasing a deep breath and tilting her head back when the wet tip of Daryl's tongue brushed along the slit of her pussy. Every nerve in her body was vibrating with the white fire that ached in her lower stomach. She never wanted someone so bad in her life. Beth watched Daryl's lips part around it in a tortuously slow suck and slide down his tongue into the crevice.
The warm and encompassing pleasure that Beth felt made her arch his back, her hand searching for Daryl's cheek to cup while her thumb rubbed over Daryl's skin encouragingly. "Fuck, Daryl.." Beth practically moaned the words. "Like that, yeah.."
"Ya like that?" He slurped around her clit, kissing it softly. She was mewling under every swipe of his tongue. "Ya like that sweetheart?" Daryl smirked at the strangled cries that poured from her lips. He sucked down to her opening and back up to her clit, his lips pulling off and his warm breath fanning over Beth's wet pussy. "Ya have two choices.. I can keep goin' until ya come er..." Daryl pursed his lips in a wet kiss against the lips, "ya can let me fuck ya hard until ya come."
"They both sound too good," Beth laughed breathlessly. "I choose the second option though, hands down," Beth flashed a wide smile and lifted her hips so her vagina bumped Daryl's wet lips.
He rolled his eyes and slapped the side of Beth's ass. "Brat. I'm gonna fuck ya even harder now," Daryl's eyes became impossibly darker. '
"Just what I was hoping for," Beth smoothed her hands over Daryl's stomach and watched the muscles contract under her touch.
Daryl bit back a moan and got on his knees in front of Beth, staring down at her pale body. "Ya really gotten more muscles since we first met.." Daryl bit his lip and walked his fingertips up Beth's inner thigh.
"Some jerk has been making me train really hard," Beth teased and shivered, goosebumps appearing on her skin.
"Maybe that jerk can make it up to ya," Daryl smiled down at her faintly and lightly rubbed along Beth's opening.
"He always more than makes it up to me," Beth sighed and spread her legs further, her head falling back against the pillow.
Daryl worked his finger in and out slowly before adding a second, being so careful with Beth as he always tried to be. Even when they fought, Daryl did all he could to avoid causing any damage.
Beth reached forward after a moment to take Daryl's cock in her hand, tugging on his arm with her other hand to pull their bodies flush together. "Please.. Now," Beth whispered and kissed Daryl's lips hard.
Daryl let out a muffled groan. "Beth..." Daryl breathed against Beth's lips and looked in her eyes.
Beth brushed her nose over Daryl's gazing up at him. "What is it?"
"'M.. I'm goin' ta miss ya." He closed his eyes and slowly started pressing into Beth.
They moaned mutually and Beth wrapped his arms around Daryl's middle to pull him as close as possible, hiding her face in Daryl's neck. "I'm gonna miss you a lot. You don't even know."
Daryl rocked his hips in sync with Beth's for a while, their bodies making a slow climb of pleasure as they simply enjoyed the feeling without any rush. "I'll come home ta ya soon," Daryl whispered near Beth's ear, nipping at the lobe softly and flicking his tongue against it.
Beth shuddered and squeezed around Daryl, making him moan roughly. "I'll be here waiting for you, I promise.." Beth murmured and started lifting her hips to meet each thrust, the momentum increasing and sweat dripping between their bodies as they moved faster and harder.
Beth's boobs rubbed between their bodies with their peaked nipples while the burn of satisfaction was rising in Beth's groin. Daryl placed Beth's legs over his shoulders so he could get in deeper, the angle of his hips causing his dick to rub right against Beth's spot hidden inside.
Beth cried out and scratched down Daryl's back, her hips moving wildly with Daryl's to keep the rhythm. "Fuck, I.."
"Me too," Daryl grunted and reached between them to give Beth the last few touches she needed to be pushed over the edge.
Beth unraveled between them with long and whimpering moans while Daryl did his final thrusts before releasing into Beth with a deep groan. After a flurry of heavy breathing and desperate movements to prolong the pleasure, Daryl collapsed on top of Beth and they kissed languidly.
Several moments passed where the only sounds were their breath, content moans and lazy kisses. Daryl finally spoke up to say, "why don' we do that more often?"
Beth laughed and stretched beneath Daryl. "Because of your many rules."
"I'm an idiot, ya know," Daryl grinned and kissed Beth's lips while he pulled out with a soft moan.
"When you get back, no rules. Okay? Just us," Beth nodded and caressed Daryl's back.
"That sounds like a rule right there.." Daryl raised his brows and smirked.
"I'm allowed to make rules, not you," Beth grinned and Daryl pinched his side.
"If yer rules involve lots o' sex, pretty sure 'm okay with that," Daryl sighed and rolled off of Beth, rubbing his eyes. "I need ta start packin'.."
"I'm gonna help you," Beth slowly stood up, groaning a little and licking her lips.
Daryl's eyes traveled up Beth's body to her face. "Do me a favor an' put some clothes on if ya wanna help me. B'cause otherwise I have a feelin' I'll do very counterproductive things with yer body."
Beth smirked and shook her head, reaching into her bag to find her clothes to put on. Daryl stood up and stretched, grabbing his boxers while Beth watched. "Really, it's a good thing clothes exist or we would be fucked," Beth laughed.
"Well, ya would be fucked," Daryl winked and made his way to the closet, patting his stomach and opening the door.
Beth wrapped her arms around Daryl from behind and kissed the side of his neck.
He closed his eyes briefly and turned his head to kiss Beth's cheek. Daryl smiled and rubbed Beth's arm before stepping out of her embrace to reach for his bag that was up on the closet shelf, tossing it onto the ground with a groan. "I hate packin'."
"Seems like something an organizer would love to do," Beth teased and started combing through Daryl's clothes with her fingers, looking over them.
"So what, you're just skipping town?" Carol had her arms crossed over her chest while Merle hastily packed up his stuff and Sophia watched cartoons in the next room.
Merle sighed loudly. "I told ya, I have reasons. This aint only ta. protect me but ta protect you and Sophia too."
"I can't believe you had me bring her over here when she's just going to have to see you leave. Again," Carol shook her head disapprovingly and glanced through the doorway at their daughter.
"Look, it ain't like last time. I ain't goin' to disappear without a word. I'll keep in touch an' send things when I can. The bottom line is, if I don' go do this then maybe she'll be in danger," Merle zipped up his bag roughly.
"From who? Seriously, you haven't told me shit," Carol whispered sharply.
Merle looked down at the ground and swallowed. "I saw Martinez a couple of nights ago.. He looked pissed."
"So? You two haven't liked each other for a long time, I don't see why that's something new to be scared about," Carol shrugged lightly.
"So, he was in jail before an' I jus' don't wanna risk it, okay?" Merle mumbled and set his bag on the floor.
"I don't see how you running away is going to better the situation at all. Besides, I told you he's changed. He isn't going to threaten you and he certainly isn't going to threaten me or Sophia," Carol stated adamantly.
Merle set his lips in a tight line and looked at Carol's face with narrowed eyes. "Ya poor, naive woman.. Ya never could face the reality of a situation, could ya."
"Maybe that's why I stayed with your cheating and emotionally abusive ass for so long," Carol said coldly.
"Let's not go down that road. We've fought enough 'bout it fer a lifetime," he rubbed his hand over his eyes. "I need ta git going. I have ta take care of a few things b'fore I leave town. I promise I'll be back, okay? I just need time."
"You're unbelievable.." Carol murmured. "What am I supposed to tell Sophia, huh?"
"Tell her that I had ta go on a business trip an' I'll be back," Merle shrugged, reaching into his pocket to pull out a wad of cash. "Here, this will be more than enough until I get back."
Carol stared at the money with conflict, slowly shaking her head. "I don't need it."
"It ain't jus' 'bout you, this is fer Sophia an' ya will take it b'cause ya do need it ta care fer her," Merle shoved the money into Carol's hand.
Carol glared but tucked away the cash into her purse. "Well, go say goodbye to your daughter and bring her out to the car after. I can't stay and watch her cry."
Merles text came at 8pm that night saying that he'd be there soon. Beth and Daryl had spent the rest of the day packing up Daryl's stuff, running it over to Beth's place and kissing and touching in between as much as they could.
Daryl stood with his packed bag at his feet and Beth in front of him. "R'member, this is jus' a 'see ya soon', not a goodbye," Daryl shook his head, cupping Beth's cheek as he murmured.
"I remember.." Beth mumbled back weakly.
Daryl pressed his forehead to Beth's rubbing their heads together affectionately while he spoke. "Ya know.. Yer a lot stronger than ya think ya are. Ya can handle this."
"I don't feel strong at all," Beth sniffed and closed her eyes, her lips finding Daryl's in a soft kiss. "But you, you're like the definition of strength. You've been through more than anyone I know, but you just endure it all," Beth looked at Daryl in awe. "I know you'll get through this next part a hell of a lot better than I will. I'll be a wreck and you'll just be dealing with it like a pro."
"Well, I am a pro," He smirked lightly but his eyes were tender. "It'll be hard fer me too, girl. But thinkin' o' all I'm fightin' fer is goin' ta make it worth it," Daryl sighed and rubbed his thumbs over Beth's cheeks.
"I love you.." Beth murmured against Daryl's lips as they brushed hers.
"I love ya more than I thought possible," Daryl said almost reverently and gave Beth a proper kiss on the lips, pecking her cheeks and forehead after and pulling her in for a tight hug.
"Text me later, please? I don't think I'll be able to sleep until you do," Beth rubbed her nose against Daryl's cheek, kissing it and squeezing Daryl against her in hopes of almost imprinting the feeling.
"Ya know I will," Daryl patted Beth's back with a sigh. "I gotta git goin'. Sure ya don' mind takin' my key ta the landlord?"
"I'll take care of it," Beth smiled sadly. "I'll see you soon."
"Yes, ya will. Sooner than ya think, I hope," Daryl looked at Beth and cupped her chin to give her one last kiss before heading out the door with his bag over his shoulder.
Beth watched him go and looked down at the metal key in her hand, realizing she now had the unpleasant task of explaining to the landlord that his tenant had to suddenly leave town.
Life wouldn't stop for Beth to be sad, and Beth had to get used to that.
Daryl sat in the front seat of Merle's car with his arms crossed, glaring out the window.
"Oh, stop actin' like a kid who didn' git his way," Merld rolled his eyes. "Yer better off not stickin' around and lettin' Priss fuck with yer head. She was nothin' but a lyin' piece of shit."
"Don't fuckin' talk about her to me," Daryl spoke through gritted teeth and took a deep breath. "Let's jus'.. Git through this with as little talkin' as possible."
"Ain't ya a fun road companion," He grumbled. "We're stoppin' overnight in a small town an' then we'll be on ta our destination, so why don' ya try ta be somewhat pleasant since we have ta deal with each other fer a while."
"I don' have any reason ta be nice to you, Merle," He responded firmly.
"No? How about, I got ya away from our ol' man an' got ya set up with a nice place in the city and-" Merle started.
"An' everythin' ya done ta fuck up my life has made us even. Ya helped me, I helped you an' ya jus' fucked me over. I don' owe ya shit, an' if ya weren't still threatenin' ta make my life hell with dad, I wouldn' be here right now," Daryl snarled.
"Look, ya don' understand what I have ta lose, kid. I got a daughter back home who counts on me and I can't let her down. If ya think yer the only one who knows what it's like ta leave someone ya care about, yer wrong," Merle said harshly.
"She don' even know the real you. If she knew this man then she'd want nothin' ta do with ya. Anyway, 'm done talkin', alright? Entertain yerself," Daryl put his hoodie over his head and slumped down in the seat, sticking his headphones in and wishing he'd charged his phone before they left. He wouldn't be able to text Beth until he could plug it in somewhere.
Merle gripped the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white but kept his mouth shut. He needed Daryl's cooperation and so it was best to not poke the hornet's nest.
Beth was curled up on the couch with a bag of chips, a bottle of soda and various candy wrappers spread about. One could say she was eating her feelings.
"Dude, why didn't you invite us to the party?" Carl's voice came from the doorway as he and Maggie stepped into the apartment and saw Beth vegging out.
"Because it's a pretty pathetic one," Beth cracked a smile. "But you're welcome to join. I think I bought everything in the snack aisle at the store."
Maggie rubbed her hands together. "Now that's what I'm talking about," she jumped over the back of the couch and landed on the cushions less than gracefully, her hand immediately reaching into the chip bag.
Carl made his way over and sat in the arm chair, pulling Larry out of his pocket and setting him on his shoulder where the lizard promptly curled up for a snooze.
Beth watched the lizard warily while she took a sip of her coke, the carbonation burning in a satisfying way as it went down her throat.
"Have you heard from Daryl?" Maggie asked with her mouth full.
"Not yet," Beth pursed her lips. "I'm sure I will later," she shrugged, not really wanting to think about it much.
"Let's just be grateful that the scary dude is out of town," Carl propped his feet up on the table and nodded.
"Yeah, but he's with Daryl." Beth shook her head.
"Daryl is a tough guy and has known Merle literally his whole life," Maggie picked a chip crumb off her shirt and ate it. "You know he'll be okay."
"What about the random people he's gonna have to fight?" Beth closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I have no clue if he'll be okay."
"Alright, alright, calm your little A cup tits," Maggie patted her shoulder. "There's no use freaking out about it when you're just sitting here and doing nothing."
"I have no other choice, Mags," Beth whispered hopelessly.
"Actually, yeah you do. You can not let your life fall apart and focus on school and be the Beth that we all love to be annoyed by with her smartypants ways. Seriously, do you want Daryl to come back to a loser that's eating all the things and watching reruns of Dawson's Creek?" Maggie raised her eyebrows high.
"Hey.. I didn't know you saw me change the channel from that," Beth blushed.
"Dude, we all know you love that show," Carl chuckled. "When you drink you tend to make references about it."
Beth rolled her lips in and threw a chip at Carl which Larry quickly woke up to catch with his tongue. Beth watched with wide eyes while Larry chomped on it and then fell back asleep. "What the.."
"He loves chips, man," Carl shrugged with a laugh.
"Seriously though, not gonna watch you crumble because of this. Go back to your life and when Daryl is here again, he can work his way into it instead of the other way around," Maggie brushed her pants off and burped loudly.
Beth wrinkled her noise. "Can't believe I'm taking advice from someone as gross as you."
"Can't believe you like to watch teen romantic dramas," Maggie countered with a glare.
"You guys need to relax," Carl grinned and pulled out a joint from his pocket, holding it up. "Any takers?"
Beth looked and Carl and shook her head. "I'm going to take a nap." She strutted upstairs.
Carl gave Maggie a sly grin. "Why the hell not."
Daryl was getting settled in his seedy hotel room that they'd gotten for the night. He had paid for his own room because he didn't want to deplete Merle's resources anymore than he had to. The less money Merle had, the longer Daryl would have to stay out with him. This meant that he had to deal with moth-eaten curtains and a dusty comforter on the bed, but he had seen way worse.
There was a knock on the door and Daryl grumbled as he went over to answer it. "What?" he looked at Merle who was standing on the other side of the door.
"I.." Merle gulped and honestly looked terrified.
"What is it?" Daryl furrowed his brows, pushing the door open more so Merle could step in.
Merle walked past him and started pacing. Daryl sat on the edge of the bed with a worried expression; he had never seen his brother like this before.
"I jus' got a call from Sophia's mom.." Merle finally spoke in a numb voice. "Apparently Martinez found her an' Sophia an' is threatenin' them if I don' show up with cash. That fuckin' asshole."
"Wait.. How would Martinez even know where they are?" Daryl asked in confusion.
"Brother.." Merle sighed in frustration. "Obviously Carol is the mother."
"Ya said she wasn't." Daryl argues and shook his head.
"I said fer ya ta mind yer own damn business," Merle growled. "Carol kept in contact with Martinez while he was in jail an' she was all stars in her eyes fer him 'gain b'cause she said he'd changed. Turns out he's the same insufferable piece o' shit." Merle sat on the other double bed, putting his face in his hand.
Daryl listened and nodded slightly while he processed the information. "So.. He wants money. Well, that's what we're doin', we're gettin' money."
"Except he wants it in the next few days, idiot," Merle spat. "Ya know he was never a patient man."
"That's impossible," Daryl shook his head. "We can' jus' come up with money overnight. We need time."
"We don' have time. We gotta do somethin' drastic, I just ain't got a fuckin' clue what...Carol said he's threatenin' ta take Sophia away since it should have been his daughter," Merle huffed and stood up again, walking over to the window and staring out with his arms crossed over his chest.
Daryl bit his lower lip, staring at a random stain on the carpet while he let several ideas run through his head. "I think.. I think I might have a plan, but ya a'int gonna like it," Daryl looked up at Merle.
Merle turned to face Daryl, shaking his head helplessly. "I don' care, I'll do anythin'."
Beth yawned wide as she woke up to her phone vibrating. She peeked an eye open at the screen. It was from Daryl.
She ran downstairs and plopped on the couch next to her sister and Carl. "Daryl is okay, guys!" Beth proclaimed before even reading the text. Carl laughed happily and Maggie continued to eat her sandwich but had a smile on her face.
Beth had to work really hard to focus her still sleepy eyes on the screen and when she read the words, she didn't understand them.
We have a new plan. You won't believe it, Beth.
"A plan for what?" Beth murmured out loud and then her eyes widened in realization. "Holy shit, a plan!" She hopped up abruptly.
What's the plan? Beth typed out.
Can I call you? Daryl replied and Beth excused herself to her room where she quickly went to the bathroom to splash her face with water in an effort to wake up. She patted her face with a towel and texted Daryl back a yes.
Beth gulped down some water and was feeling more awake when the phone rang. She answered in a quiet voice. "Hey you."
"Hey," Beth could hear the smile in Daryl's tone. "God, it's good ta hear ya."
"It's good to hear you too. I was so worried," Beth admitted and sat down on her bed in relief.
"My phone was dead an' I was stuck in the car with Merle fer hours.. It was hell an' I jus' wanted ta be there with ya," Daryl sighed out and Beth's heart picked up its pace.
"I wish you were here too. Well, not here right now because my friends are totally stoned," Beth laughed softly.
"Did ya smoke, too?" Daryl asked in amusement.
"No, gross," Beth sighed before changing the subject. "What is this plan that I won't believe?"
Daryl launched into the explanation of how Martinez was threatening Carol and Sophia and how he wanted money as soon as possible.
"But.. You can't just get that kind of money from one fight, and that's about all you'll have time for if he wants the money that soon.." Beth bit at her lower lip with worry.
"Exactly.. So, I came up with a plan that will get us enough money an' that will make Martinez be okay with waitin' a bit while we work out the details an' prepare, 'cause this is somethin' that he will want ta see," Daryl informed in a low voice.
"That's great.. What is it?" Beth asked curiously.
"Merle an' I are gonna fight."