So! I have decided that there WILL be a sequel to this story. I haven't came up with a title yet, but I have started writing the first chapter. Review and let me know what it should be called! I appreciate each and every one of you who continue to review! Thank you for favoriting, and following! There is only ONE chapter left, with an added epilogue. But! The story doesn't end there ;) on to Chapter 26!
"What's up with you?" Merle glanced over at Daryl. "I'm the one that should be fuckin' freakin' out 'bout this," Merle wiped his brow and chugged some water.
Daryl looked at him sideways from where he leaned against the wall, shrugging his shoulders. "'M not freaked out, jus' ready ta git this over with, that's all." It was taking everything Daryl had to keep his cool. He'd had to do his best to not make eye contact with Merle, because every time he did the anger just flared in him again. If he didn't look him right in the eyes then he could manage to remain numb.
"Look, I don' want ya ta take it easy on me. Feel free ta hit me as hard as ya want durin' the fight, alright? 'M sure yer ecstatic fer the opportunity ta do that," Merle chuckled and cracked his knuckles.
"Ya, only fer the past 36 years..." He mumbled. All Daryl could think of was what a liar Merle was. He wasn't scared to tell Daryl to go hard because he was planning on dropping him the pills that would make him weak and out of it. "Yeah, I am kinda lookin' forward ta it," Daryl added grimly.
"Ya should know that I ain't holdin' back either, 'specially with Martinez there. Wouldn' want him ta think I turned weak...I will be takin off the prosthetic, though. All o' it." Merle bounced a few times on his feet before punching the hanging sand bag with sharp hits.
"I didn' expect ya ta hold back. By all means, try ta beat the shit out o' me. That way I won' feel bad when I take ya down," Daryl smirked coldly and pushed off the wall, walking over to pull-up bar and reaching up to grab it with a firm grip, his jaw tensing as he pulled up and put his chin over the bar. He repeated this a few times, losing himself in the exhaustion and accelerated heart rate that it brought on.
"Quit showin' off," Merle threw a towel at Daryl's chest, walking over to him when he dropped down and wiped off his face with the towel. "Hey.. If 'm gonna fight anyone, I'm glad it's you."
Daryl pursed his lips and cautiously raised his gaze to Merle's face. "Why would ya say that?"
"B'cause, baby brother.. Yer my right-hand man. I know I can always count on ya an' yer the only one that don' let me down," He shrugged both shoulders. "'nough of'this corny bullshit," Merle laughed and punched Daryl in the shoulder. "Everything is set fer the fight tomorrow so it's best if ya git rest. 'm sure y'all need it."
For a single second, Daryl started to feel bad about all that was going to happen to Merle the next day. Then he remembered how Merle lied to him and used him and how he intended on sabotaging him and Daryl no longer felt regretful.
"Ya, I see what ya mean," Daryl rubbed his nose smoothly with the back of wrist and sniffed. "Ya better get some rest too, eh? Big day tomorrow," Dary faked a little kindness.
Merle put his arm around Daryl's shoulder and Daryl turned his head away with a grimace. "Things are goin' ta git better fer us after this. We'll have a new city, new conquests an' the cash will be rollin' in, y'all see. As long as ya stick with me, dad will never harm ya again," Merle patted his arm and Daryl's fist tightened at his side.
"Ya," He gritted out. "I ain't got no doubt that he'll never harm me again."
"We were meant ta roll together, blood," Merle pulled away, winking and making a clicking noise with his tongue at the same time. "But I apologize in advance fer kickin' yer ass tomorrow," he laughed.
"I 'pologize in advance fer provin' ya wrong," Daryl squared his shoulders and cocked his head.
"Alright, alright," Merle grinned. "I like that. Hey, 'm gonna go an' git myself a big thing o' water b'fore the fight tomorrow, I'll pick one up fer ya too while 'm at it," Merle offered.
"That's kinder than the norm fer ya brother," Daryl narrowed his eyes.
"I guess I'm jus' in a givin' spirit, an' the water here ain't exactly refreshin'," He replied. "Sound good, though?"
"Ya, sure.. Thanks," Daryl kept his face even, but he knew exactly what Merle was going to do with his water. "'m tired.. I'll see ya" he pushed past Merle and jogged toward the house, having to resist the urge to punch an old cedar beam because he knew it'd fuck up his hand.
Daryl fell down on the bed in exhaustion from his past few days of training hard and from how much he had to act around Merle. Every moment was work and the only time that was his own was during the night when he could call Beth and forget about the web of deception he was completely entangled in.
He wet his dry lips and lit up a cigarette before dialing Beth's number.
Beth had spent the previous few days at school working non-stop on her paper. It was nearing 40 pages and the words were starting to all run together. Morris had given her some good notes and edits and Beth was working hard to incorporate them all.
By the time she got home that night she was past the point of tired. She was going to make her cup of tea and get in bed to await Daryl's nightly call; it was the thing that kept her going all day.
She waited for the tea bag to infuse the water with herbal goodness and yawned wide, the tip of her tongue curling and her eyes watering.
"Boo," Maggie's voice came from behind her and Bath jumped nearly a foot in the air. Maggie started laughing and Carl joined in out of nowhere.
"I never get sick of scaring you!" Maggie slapped her thigh while she chuckled. "It's too easy."
"You're a jerk. I've had a long day and you know how much it sucks to be startled when you're tired as hell."
"I told him not to, man," Carl leaned on the counter with a smile.
"I didn't know you two were here. You were oddly quiet.." Beth squinted at them suspiciously.
"We built a fort out of blankets and did a hotbox in there," Maggie grinned.
"Yeah, but we had to leave because Maggie farted," Carl rolled his eyes. "Everyone knows the number one rule in forts is that you're not allowed to fart."
"Wow, that was not me! It was Larry!" Her eyes widened.
"You did not just blame the lizard," Carl shook his head in disappointment and Larry crawled out from his pocket and perched on his shoulder to give Maggie an unamused look.
"Alright, as entertaining as this is," Beth smiled faintly, "I'm exhausted. Just please, keep the farting in your room and have a good night," Beth looked between Maggie and Carl and then accidentally made eye contact with Larry. "Uhh.. Goodnight to you too, lizard guy," Beth cleared her throat awkwardly and went into her room.
She got settled in bed and sipped at her tea while she read over a chapter of her textbook for an online quiz she had the next week. She was finding that staying ahead of the curve was the best way to handle the grueling end of the semester and she was just getting to the point where the reading might put her to sleep when her phone started ringing.
With a smile, Beth slid under the covers and answered the phone. "Hey, stranger."
"Hey yerself," Daryl's tired voice responded gently. "I can' stay long, I really need sleep."
"I know you need it," Beth bit the corner of her bottom lip. "How was it today with Merle?"
Daryl huffed. "He's tryin' ta act like a nice guy. I don' know what his scheme is, but it's gettin' harder fer me ta pretend that I can stand him. Thank God tomorrow it'll all be over."
"Just one more day and then you won't have to see him again," Beth nodded and rubbed her cheek against the pillow. "What time should I meet you?"
"Mmm.. The fight starts at 10 tomorrow night so, wanna git coffee with me first? Merle an' I will roll into town 'round 7, prob'ly. Knox has my car so I'll have Merle drop me off at the coffee shop," He yawned loudly.
"I'll meet you there, then.." Beth's lips turned up in a smile. "I'm excited to see you."
"Me too, baby," Daryl's voice was quieter.
"I can tell you're beginning the process of drifting off. Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow night.. I miss you," Beth whispered softly.
"I miss ya more," Daryl's voice came back with a smile.
"Equal, okay?" Beth grinned and pulled the blanket up to her chin happily. "Have sweet dreams."
"They will be if yer in them," Daryl mumbled.
"Oh, stop it," Beth rolled her eyes but blushed. "Talk to you tomorrow, really."
"Are we gonna do the whole, 'ya hang up first, no ya hang up first' thing?" Daryl laughed lowly. "I love ya, Beth."
"I love you too," Beth sighed. "But you hang up first," Beth chuckled.
"Fuckin' ridiculous," He let out a huff of laughter. "Alright, I'll be the man. G'dnight," he hung up the phone with a gentle laugh.
Beth fell asleep with a big smile on her face that night.
"Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey," Maggie prodded at Beth's shoulder with a pointed finger.
Beth squinted up at her and growled. "Get out," she smacked her roommate with a pillow.
"No way! We need groceries," She bounced her butt on the bed.
"Go get them yourself, God," Beth groaned and flipped over onto her stomach, burying her head under her pillow.
"No can do! My car is on the fritz and I need you to drive," Maggie countered and laid on top of Beth's back. "Ohhh, what a comfy bed I've found here."
"Get off," Beth wheezed and flailed her arms. "Can't. Breathe."
"I'll get off if you say you'll take me to the store," Maggie sighed in content and smacked her lips. "I could lay here alllll day."
"You can borrow my car!" Beth gritted out.
"You know I can't drive a stick," She yawned and wiggled on top of Beth. "Come on, I'll buy you a candy bar."
"Two of them," Beth raised the stakes and pinched Maggie on the side where she could reach.
"Deal," Maggie rolled off smoothly and hopped to her feet on the floor. "Good thing you agreed because your bony ass is actually the least comfortable pillow ever," She took off her glasses and cleaned a smudge with the bottom of her shirt.
Beth shot her friend a hard glare and looked at the clock. "Only food would motivate you to get out of bed this early."
"Not true, I've been known to get up early for other reasons," Maggie puffed out her chest.
"Saturday morning cartoons are not a valid reason," Beth smiled wrly and sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Well, not now. They just show shit for babies like Dora the Explorer and Bob the fucking Builder," Maggie said bitterly.
"It'll be okay. Let the babies have their shows," Beth stood up and nudged Maggie on the arm before padding to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Maggie opened Beth's closet and started tossing out clothes for her to wear in a haste. Beth walked back out with her fingers running through her hair. "What the.." She glanced at the combination of shirt and pants that Maggie had picked. "Kay, never pick out my clothes for me again," Beth rolled her eyes with a laugh and grabbed some sweats instead. She would get dressed for real later after she showered.
"Excuse me but maybe I didn't want to be seen in public with a hobo," Maggie turned up her nose at Beth's grubby look.
"I'm gonna teach you how to drive a stick so this doesn't happen again," Beth flicked Maggie's ear.
"Ohh, are you gonna use Daryl as a teaching tool?" Maggie teased.
"I didn't mean that kind of stick," Beth smirked. "Those type of skills cannot be taught."
"Look out, ladies and gents, somebody put on her sassy pants this morning," Maggie mussed Beth's hair and ducked before Beth could slap the back of her head.
He sighed and scratched at his chin, smoothing his hands over his now shaved face and looked in the mirror.
That morning he had woken up with a fire pulsing through his veins fueled by pure anger. The numbness of what Merle had done was completely worn off and Daryl was more than ready to get a piece of him.
He glanced in the mirror with a shrewd eye, examining the various scars on his torso, limbs and face that told their little calamitous tales of his past. Sighing loudly, he stepped into his pants and did them up with a belt before grabbing whichever wifebeater he felt first and slipping it on. He zipped up a hoodie and coughed.
"Hey, quit doin' yer makeup an' git out here!" Merle pounded on the door. "We got a long drive ahead o' us an' we need ta git fuckin' goin'."
Daryl bit the insides of his cheeks and exhaled sharply through his nose while he glanced at the door with hard eyes. His mind told him to keep it cool but something else in him said that he wouldn't handle being in a car with a traitor. "'m ready," He swung the door open and picked up his bag.
"Lookin' sharp, kid," Merle smiled grimly. "Too bad I'll be fuckin' all that up, later," he winked and headed down the stairs.
Daryl kept his mouth shut and reminded himself that it would just be a bit longer until he could wipe that cockiness off of his brother's face.
Beth leaned lazily against the shopping cart and watched Maggie fill it with almost everything in sight. Beth gave her a quizzical look. "I'm sorry, did I miss something? Is there a zombie apocalypse happening that I was unaware of?" Beth motioned to the overflowing cart.
"First of all," Maggie looked at her seriously, "don't joke about that because it really could happen and you'll be the first one to be infected because you're a non-believer and the furthest from scrappy," she cleared her throat. "Second of all, this is how much I always buy," she shrugged.
Beth thought for a moment and realized she'd never actually shopped for food with Maggie and that it was just always in the apartment. But watching Maggie now was like watching an Olympic event. She would win the gold for largest amount of things put in a cart in the smallest amount of time.
"You nervous about tonight?" Maggie asked while she ripped into a bag of chips, apparently too famished to wait until they got to the check-out.
"I'm.." Beth sighed, "conflicted about how I feel. I'm nervous that Merle is going to hurt Daryl badly, but I'm so excited about that asshole finally reaching judgement day."
"Yeah, I feel you," Maggie chomped on a Dorito. "When are we going?"
"No, you're not going to this one," Beth shook her head adamantly.
"You are such a party pooper! Always saying no," Maggie huffed loudly.
"You act like a two year old sometimes...Let me explain, okay?" She narrowed her eyes and waited for her roommate to nod. "It's just that I'm out of that and Daryl is almost out of it. I don't want to risk you getting wrapped up in it somehow if Merle sees you. He could charge at you or something, who knows."
"What about you? Didn't he say he never wanted to see you again?" Maggie raised her eyebrows.
"He can't do anything to me anymore," Beth lifted a shoulder. "And if he tried, I would so gladly knock him on his ass."
"Oh, I see, you think I can't knock him on his ass too?" Maggie blinked toward Beth and started putting her groceries on the conveyer belt. The cashier looked at the amount of food with alarm.
Beth patted Maggie on the back. "Nope, I don't think you can."
"What an asshole! You don't believe in me," Maggie faked tears.
"I believe you will be walking home if you keep harping on that," Beth said warningly and put her two candy bars on the belt. "Thanks for those."
"Oooh, nice choices," She looked at the chocolate and approved, totally distracted from what they were talking about.
-This is fucking torture., Daryl's 's text read.
-How long have you been in the car with him? Beth frowned while he typed back, polishing up her hair with her free hand.
-Going on four hours. We still have a little while to go. Still good to meet me at 7 at the coffee shop?
-Yep, I'll be there. Beth's stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing Daryl. Though they hadn't been apart that long the events that had taken place since Daryl left had only added to the feeling of time.
-I'm gonna kiss you. A lot. Just thought I should warn you.
Beth bit down on a big smile and wrote back, -I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Gone were the days when Daryl needed upmost focus before a fight, apparently. Beth was grateful she was no longer deprived of kisses.
-We will see about that ;-), His reply came back.
"I can't believe he put a winky face," Beth laughed to herself. -I love you. Now save your battery and shoot Merle some dirty looks on my behalf, please.
-Oh, with pleasure. I love you too.
Beth couldn't hide her grin when she pulled up to the shop and saw Daryl casually leaning against the brick wall with a smile of his own. She parked the car and got out, reminding herself not to run as she moved toward Daryl, his arms immediately going around Daryl's neck and her eyes studying his face.
"It's you," Beth sighed softly and rested her forehead against Daryl's.
Daryl wound his arms around Beth's waist and closed his eyes, squeezing her body against his. "This is what I needed," he murmured and inhaled Beth's scent with a brush of his nose along her neck.
"I missed you an embarrassing amount," Beth admitted before she could hold it back.
Daryl chuckled lowly and looked into Beth's eyes. "Ya talked ta me every day."
"But I didn't get to touch you.." Beth's lower lip jutted out.
"I missed ya a lot, too. I missed this.." Daryl whispered and licked Beth's full lower lip before sucking it briefly and pressing a soft kiss to Beth's lips.
Beth inhaled quickly through her nose, kissing Daryl's lips greedily and sliding his hand to cup Daryl's cheek. "Do you know what I think?" Beth murmured against his lips.
"Mm?" Daryl produced a lazy smile and his eyes darkened slightly.
"I think we will need to celebrate tonight. You know, if you're not too hurt," Beth furrowed her brows at the afterthought.
"What kind o' celebratin' were ya thinkin'?" He nudged Beth's foot with his own.
"The naked kind," Beth wiggled her brows and both laughed.
"I won' be too hurt fer that," Daryl shook his head gently and kissed Beth's lips again.
They made their way inside and found a corner booth to be secluded in while they sipped their hot drinks. Beth traced her fingertips over the rough skin of Daryl's upturned palm and pursed her lips.
"Have you given any thought to doing something with your dad's ashes?" Betb asked hesitantly, regretting being nosy, but as always feeling unable to help it.
Daryl nodded with a swallow. "Mhm. I guess it's only right that I bury them er some shit, yeah? I mean, I guess I owe him that much."
"You don't owe him anything," Beth shook her head quickly. "It's whatever you want to do. I'll go with you if you want," Beth lifted Daryl's hand to kiss it and rest it on her cheek.
"I think I need a little bit o' time b'fore I go back there.. But yeah, when I do.. I want ya ta come with me," He rubbed his thumb over Beth's cheekbone and smiled. "Ya look nice, tonight."
"So do you," Beth blinked softly. "You shaved."
Daryl brought his hand up to touch the sides of his face and nodded. "Yeah, it was lookin' pretty haggard." He smiled lighly.
"Stop being so dazzling with that smile of yours, please," Beth cocked a brow. "We should get going."
"Yep.." He sighed loudly and glanced at the extravagantly large clock on the wall. "Doomsday has come."
"For Merle, at least," Beth stood up and stretched.
Daryl tugged on her shirt to pull her forward for a kiss, totally ignoring the staring people in the shop who apparently weren't fans of PDA. "Thank ya fer helpin' me relax," Daryl whispered. "I'd be freakin' out fer sure if ya weren' here."
Beth took Daryl's hand and walked with him to the door. "Don't thank me, I want to be here with you," she smiled gently at Daryl. "You've got this. Promise to get a punch in for me, too?"
"Ya know I will," Daryl chuckled and wrapped his arm around Beth's waist.
The crowd was bigger than any Beth had seen so far; apparently many people wanted to see Merle fight. The fight was taking place in a large field with torches lit around, which definitely added to the creepy factor that was already looming in the mix of seedy looking men and the surly and loud women they brought along with them.
Beth's eyes darted around until they spotted Martinez and Carol hovering near the back. They stood a few feet apart and Carol had on her sunglasses even though it was night. They were there to collect their payment and ruin Merle's life, but they were playing it safe for the moment so Merle wouldn't catch on and run with the money.
Beth smoothed some chapstick over her stinging bottom lip from constant worried biting and bounced on the balls of her feet, feeling increasingly nervous as she always did before the fights. What if it didn't work out the way they planned? What if Merle beat up Daryl beyond the point of repair? Beth hated these adverse thoughts but couldn't help but recognize that they had some clout.
Daryl was off to the side with his large jug of water and he had already texted Beth and let her know that he dumped the water and filled it up with the clean stuff. He drank from it dutifully so Merle could see and think that his plan was working.
Beth crossed her fingers with hope and flashed Daryl a sure smile when they made eye contact. "I love you," Beth mouthed and she saw Daryl's lips turn up in the faintest of smiles while his eyes drifted back down to the ground.
"I thought Merle retired," someone nearby gossiped.
"He did!" a man replied. "It must be something pretty special if he's fighting tonight."
Beth took a deep breath, refraining from chiming in that Merle's assholery was the only thing that landed him here tonight. She rubbed her hands together and chewed on her lower lip again, shuddering when Merle walked into sight. Beth ducked a little, not wanting to be spotted right away and cause a ruckus.
"Alright, alright," Merle grinned when the crowd started clapping for him and he held up his hands. Leech stepped out and handed him the megaphone. "Now, I know yer all here b'cause ya missed seein' me fightin', right? Not b'cause ya wanna see me git punched," Merle smirked and the crowd laughed loudly. Beth just rolled her eyes and mumbled that he was here for the latter.
"My opponent t'night is a worthy one.." he motioned to Daryl. "Daryl, come an' join me over here?"
Beth watched Daryl walk slowly with a straight face over to Daryl, his hands shoved in his pockets with indifference. Merle wrapped his arm around Daryl's shoulders and Daryl cringed visibly. "This guy right here has been through a lot o' shit with me an' t'night he's doin' me a big favor. Ya see.. I'm bein' blackmailed," Merle announced and Beth widened her eyes at the confession.
"By someone from my past that ain't a fan o' all o' this," Merle motioned over himself. "Don' see how anyone couldn' be," he grinned and shrugged a shoulder, causing the crowd to catcall and cheer. "So Dixon here is helpin' me earn the money ta keep my family safe. That's right, I do actually have family that I care 'bout."
Beth glanced over to Martinez and Carol and saw how nervous they looked. Beth didn't blame them; nobody expected Merle to be so forthcoming.
"He's a good guy ta let me beat him up fer a cause," Merle patted Daryl's shoulder and Daryl looked down.
"Don't lose your resolve, Daryl.. Come on," Beth muttered to herself and took a shallow breath.
"Thank ya all fer payin' ta come here, b' cause yer helpin' me out more than ya know. Just like this guy is," Merle looked at Daryl again. "Now that we have all that sappy shit out o' the way, let's fuckin' git ta it!" he yelled into the megaphone before tossing it to Leech.
Daryl quickly backed up and took his hoodie off, throwing it aside. The veins in his arms were already pumping and Beth tilted her head in admiration of how strong she looked. It only took one moment of attention to Daryl's face for Beth to realize that Daryl wasn't going to fall for Merle's tricks this time. His face was set with determination and he was going to fight.
Merle assumed that the muscle relaxants would be taking effect and that explained his completely confident look. He knew how good of a fighter Daryl was and if he wasn't counting on the pills, he'd be faltering at least a little bit.
The familiar hush went over the crowd as Daryl and Merle circled each other slowly, predatory glares in their eyes and their jaws set tight. As much as Beth wanted Daryl to come out on top, she knew there really was a big possibility that he wouldn't. No matter what though, Merle would be ruined and Daryl would be free. If he needed some mending after then Beth would be there to take care of him.
"Are ya too chicken shit ta hit me, Dixon?" Merle smiled evilly and turned his cheek toward Daryl. "Com'mon, hit me right there. Do it."
Daryl looked at him with disgust and his fist flexed firmly at his side. "I ain't followin' yer orders anymore, ya fuckin' prick," Daryl hit Merle in the stomach hard with an abrupt kick and knocked him flat on his back.
Similar gasps and shocked reactions filtered through the congregation and Beth's hand went over her mouth, hiding a pleased smile that she hoped wasn't premature.
Daryl immediately got in a kick to Merle's ribs for good measure and backed up quickly when Merle started to grab for his ankle. Daryl brought both of his fists up by his face protectively and bounced on his feet, taking fast breaths through his tight lips.
Merle scrambled to his feet with a look of severe agitation and swung at Daryl's face, barely clipping his jaw with his knuckles. Daryl lifted his bent elbow against the underside Merle's chin and then smacked him in the cheekbone with his fist while he was stunned.
Beth put her hands in a teepee and placed them against her lips, her brows furrowed in focus as she watched Daryl move swiftly and with skill.
Merle growled loudly and his broad shoulders raised in a pant before he charged at Daryl, wrapping his arms around Daryl's waist and knocking him to the ground to pin him down. Daryl struggled wildly beneath him; his arms and legs swinging and bending in hopes to damage Merle anywhere.
Beth winced and put her hand over her eyes like a wimp, peeking through her fingers because they lent some sort of safety. "Flip him over, flip him over," Beth chanted under her breath and her sigh of relief was loud when Daryl did just that.
Daryl had him pressed to the ground with a knee to his stomach and he was wailing on him with repeated punches to the jaw. Merle shoved him off hard and Daryl did a slow skid on his back over the grass. Merle stood up, reeling from the hits and staggering about while he got his bearings.
Daryl got to his feet and swallowed hard, sweat dripping down his white wifebeater and his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. Merle gave him a bewildered look, obviously not understanding how the pills didn't take effect.
He spat some blood on the ground and ran toward Daryl with vigor. Daryl held his ground and ducked when Merle tried to get him in a headlock. He delivered jabs to Merle's side and groaned when Merle grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged them hard.
"What the fuck?" Beth yelled out and a few people stared at her. "Sorry, but he's fighting like a fucking girl!"
Hair pulling was definitely frowned upon in these situations and Beth knew that Merle must have been feeling very desperate to do that, especially in front of Martinez. But still, he could back off a bit from Daryl's hair. His hair was Beth's to pull.
Daryl jammed his elbow behind him into Merle's ribs and took the man's addled moment to jerk away from him and do an uppercut punch to Merle's prominent chin. Merle gripped his head in his hands with a long groan.
"Have ya had enough?" Daryl yelled out. "B'cause I could go all night," he panted and the crowd silenced while they listened. "Ya son o' a bitch.." Daryl kicked him in the leg and shoved his chest to knock him down on the ground.
Merle made futile attempts to grab at Daryl but it was pretty clear to everyone that he was done. "Let me tell ya somethin' 'bout this guy that ya all think is a badass," Daryl looked around at the people while he wiped his lips with his hand and caught his breath. "He's been usin' me ta make money fer years an' I let him b'cause he was keepin' me away from our abusive father. Yes, we're fuckin' blood. He has threatened ta send me back ta our dad, every fuckin' time I made him mad er didn' cooperate.."
Merle looked up at him from his place on the ground, shaking his head slowly. "Turns out that our dad is dead, an' this fucker knew 'bout it an' pretended that he was still alive so he could continue usin' me.." Daryl looked at him with contempt.
"How did ya.." Merle spoke hoarsely.
"I heard ya talkin' ta Leech," Daryl shot Leech a glare and the man looked back at him sheepishly.
The crowd reacted with alarm and the majority of the women gave Merle dirty looks. Beth just stood there amazed and terrified about what was going down. She never expected Daryl to have such gusto in front of everyone. "Oh an' wait, Merle tried ta slip me pills t'night ta throw the fight. So, he's a liar an' a cheater an'.. 'm fuckin' done," he kicked Merle's leg hard and started to walk off before pausing and walking quickly back to Merle.
"Know what? When I overheard ya talkin' 'bout our dead dad, I was on my way ta tell ya that yer bein' fuckin' played by Martinez an' yer dear Carol. I was comin' ta warn ya that they are takin' ya fer all ya got anM are gonna skip town together with their daughter. Yes, their daughter. She ain't even yers. Seems I ain't the only one that was in the dark," Daryl raised his brows. "An' I know that hurts more than my fist ever could, don' it?" he said coldly and turned to push his way through the crowd.
Martinez stepped out of the crowd and walked up to Merle, staring down at him. "Why?" Merle mumbled pathetically up at him and held up his hand defensively.
"Why? Are you really asking me that?" Martinez scowled. "I was in prison because of you. I was holding your fucking drugs and you just let the cops take me away while you ran like the coward that you are!"
"No, it wasn' like that.." Merle stumbled to his feet and shook his head. "I didn' know they were takin' ya in, but ya know I couldn' stay when the cops showed up. I'm a wanted man."
"You're a man who has continually let other people pay for your mistakes and crimes.. When does it fucking stop? You ruined your brothers life.. You ruined mine, you ruined Carol's."
"I didn' ruin that bitch's life!" Merle yelled. "She ruined mine by lyin' 'bout Sophia bein' yer daughter!"
"She was terrified to tell you the truth because of your temper and your ability to snap at any second. You abused her and it was only a matter of time before you started in on Sophia," He crossed his arms over his chest.
"I would never do that an' ya know it.." Merle fumed lowly, blood trickling down his face from one of Daryl's punches.
As captivated as Beth was by what was going down, she just wanted to find Daryl. She weaved through the throngs of people and bumped squarely into someone with an 'oof'. "Oh, I'm sorry," Beth started apologizing and looked up when she caught the familiar scent. "Daryl.." She mumbled, a little smile on her lips.
He threw his arms around Beth and hugged her in a tight grip, his body shaking.
"It's okay now.. It's okay.." Beth rubbed his back soothingly and kissed his cheek, completely ignoring the curious stares of the people who had just watched a tough guy fight and now saw him as a crumbling mess in a woman's arms. "Do you want me to take you back to my place?"
Daryl shook his head and took a deep breath. "I wanna see what happens with them. Please," Daryl looked at her face and Beth nodded.
"Of course. I do too," Beth admitted and cupped Daryl's cheek before pecking his lips. "Excuse us," Beth gave the starers an unamused look and she and Daryl walked closer to the front of the people, picking back up on the conversation.
"Jus' b'cause ya made her don' mean yer her father! I been there fer her since birth an' I was the one who gave her money an
took care of her an'-" Merle started stammering.
"I would have been there for her!" Martinez was getting increasingly heated. "But I was sent off to jail because you fucking set me up. You were just waiting to get rid of me so you could have Carol all to yourself.."
"She chose me, asshole. Simple as that," Merle sneered.
"Do you know why? Because she didn't want to be with someone that got arrested and had to go to court. She thought I was a bad choice because of the man you painted me to be.." Martinez's voice shook with anger. "Why the fuck do you think I showed up and beat the piss out of you that day? You think that was because I was sad that Carol chose you? No, I was so angry that you changed the course of my life for the worse.. After I got sent to jail, I wrote her and explained everything until she finally believed me. See.. That's why I deserve this money and my daughter back. Since you took away everything from me."
Merle gulped and backed up slowly. "Look.. Ya got yer money. Take it an' leave, alright? I won' bother ya and ya won' bother me anymore. Go off into the fuckin' sunset with yer perfect family an' leave me the hell alone!" Merle turned and started to run off, only to be stopped by Martinez grabbing his arm and tugging him back.
"Nah, I've got one last thing to say before you go," Martinez glared and punched Merle hard, making him stumble back. "You better hope I never see you again," he said with disdain and grabbed the box of cash from Leech and paused next to Beth and Daryl. "I don't know how you found out.." he spoke to Daryl. "But thank you for breaking the ice, so to speak," he cracked a small smile. "You fought really great."
"Thanks," Daryl gave a tight smile and looked away, not really wanting that sort of attention. "Good luck with.. Ya," Daryl shrugged.
"Thanks, Dixon.. I mean, Daryl," Martinez smiled and went back over to Carol, taking her hand to leave.
"This turned pretty fucking weird.." a large man in the crowd spoke up. "I didn't pay to see this soap opera shit," another added.
"Then GO!" Merle roared, his anger making his whole body shake. "LEAVE, IDIOTS."
"What crawled up his ass?" someone mumbled and people laughed.
Merle stood up and stumbled off into the nearby woods while people began to dissipate and talk casually, as if they did not just witness a man's humiliating downfall.
Beth frowned while she watched Merle's retreating form and she looked at Daryl who had a similar expression on his face. "I don't trust him like that.."
"Me neither," Daryl's jaw tightened. "Com'on, I wanna do one last thing," he tugged on Beth's hand and they followed after Merle.
"Have ya come ta rub salt in my wounds?" Merle wheezed from his spot where he sat against a tree.
"No, I think Martinez took care o' that pretty well," Daryl replied simply.
"Then why the fuck are ya here? Ya got what ya wanted, yer free. Go," Merle waved his hand and winced, grabbing his ribs.
"An' what happens when yer healed an' ya gathered a bit o' money again? Ya start up on this shit er go after me er Beth, right?" Daryl crouched down in front of Merle. "I don' trust ya at all."
Merle just stared at Daryl for a moment before closing his eyes tight, shaking his head and letting out a strangled sob. "I'm sorry!"
"No, yer not," Daryl didn't react to Merle dramatics. "Yer jus' sorry ya got caught."
"I'm sorry I lost my daughter," Merle mumbled sadly. "That's what I'm sorry about."
"Maybe if you pull your shit together, you'll get to see her again one day," Beth piped up. "But not like this. They won't let you near her if you keep up with the anger and the manipulating and the illegal activity."
Merle sniffed and shrugged a shoulder. "This way.. Is the only way I know."
"Good thing old dogs can learn new tricks, then," Daryl sighed. "What I should do is call the cops an' have yer ass hauled off ta jail, jus' as ya threatened ta do ta me many times. 'm sure ya could build some character there."
"Please, no.. Please, please," Merle begged, a sight that neither Daryl or Beth had seen before.
"Stop. I ain't goin' ta do that. B'cause unlike ya, I have some compassion. But I swear on everythin' brother, if ya ever try ya cause trouble fer me or someone I care 'bout again," Daryl looked right into his eyes and he shook with anger as he spat, " I will fuckin' kill ya." Daryl said firmly and stood up, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.
"Here," he tossed Merle $200. "Since technically, I wouldn' have that money if it weren't fer ya. Take it an' stay at a motel in a town far away from here. Find a job, make an honest livin' an' see if ya can manage ta b'come a decent human bein'."
"I son' need yer fuckin' pity...Why are ya being nice ta me..?" Merle looked at the money, at a loss.
"B'cause I never want karma ta kick my ass the way it did yers t'night," Daryl shrugged. "Sorry, brother." He took Beth's hand and they started to walk away.
"Oh and," Daryl turned around for a brief moment. "I do have one thing I need ta thank ya fer.." Beth and Merle both looked at him in confusion. "Thank ya fer helpin' me spend tons o' time around Beth. I guess it's b'cause o' ya that I got the opportunity ta be with her an' fall fer her," Daryl flashed a wide grin and then held up his middle finger.
Beth rolled her lips in to hide a smile but she failed when it split across her face. Beth wiggled her eyebrows and laughed at the look of annoyance on Merles face. "Yeah, thanks for that and nothing else. Goodbye!" Beth grinned and she and Daryl chuckled as they walked off.
"You don't look too bad, Dixon," Beth remarked as she inspected Daryl's face from her position of straddling Daryl's hips.
"Neither do ya," Daryl smirked up and her and rested his hands on Beth's bare thighs.
"I'm really proud of you, Daryl," She cocked her head with a gentle smile. "I never could have done everything you did tonight."
"Ya would have if he'd done ta ya what he did ta me," Daryl swallowed and adjusted his head on the pillow.
"No, but I meant.. Showing him kindness in the end by giving him a chance to get away. That showed so much more strength and courage than just beating him up and calling the cops," Beth stroked Daryl's cheek and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"I guess I have more o' my mom in me than I thought," He simply shrugged before pulling Beth down against his chest to kiss her lips. "It's crazy how Martinez turned out ta be an okay guy.."
"Merle had everyone fooled," Beth closed her eyes and rested her head on Daryl's shoulder.
"It's beyond me how I didn' realize how bad he was sooner.. I guess I was so terrified ta end up back with my dad that I jus' went with it, even when it felt off.." Daryl pursed his lips, turning his head to nudge Beth's nose with his own. "Do ya know what though?"
"What?" Beth murmured, looking at Daryl's face.
"If I'd known that my dad died when it happened.. I would have left Merle right away an'...I never would have gotten ta know ya so well an' have been yer trainer an' I think it worked out the way it was supposed ta." Daryl nodded slowly.
"How can you say that, babe? You could have been free a lot sooner.." Beth furrowed her brows.
"I still would have been in chains o' my own makin'.. Ya taught me how ta let go. I couldn' have gotten ta this point without ya," He urged gently.
Beth's heart began to swell as it often did when Daryl said something so meaningful and unexpected. "I love you.. I fucking love you," Beth lifted her head to look down at Daryl's face fondly. "I've never felt so loved and needed and wanted.. Ever in my life," Her lower lip quivered and she bit down on it. "I didn't expect the asshole I met months ago to turn into the love of my life," Beth chuckled softly and Daryl pinched her side.
"Don' ya have a sweet way with words," Daryl laughed and a slow smile spread on his face. "But I guess I was a pretty big jerk.. Now look what ya done ta me, 'm fuckin' soft," Daryl wrinkled his nose and flipped them over so he was hovering over Beth.
"You don't feel so soft to me," Beth dragged her nails up Daryl's hard stomach and watched the muscles tighten.
"That reminds me, jus' b'cause we're out o' the fightin' business don' mean ya git ta be lazy again," Daryl raised both brows. "We're still gonna work out together."
"I can think of a good workout for us to do.." Beth smiled slyly and inched her fingers along the V shape of Daryl's lower abs.
"Ohh.. I dunno. I been thinkin'," He made a serious face. "Now that we are really gonna do this relationship thing, maybe we moved too fast b'fore. I think it would be a good idea if we started over from the beginnin'. No sex, jus' dates an' we'll see where it goes.."
Beth's mouth dropped open and her head shook back and forth. "You've got to be fucking kidding me.. Daryl," Beth pushed at his chest. "I don't agree with that at all. It's stupid and I don't want to forget all we've been through because-"
He cut her off with a hard and deep kiss, leaving her breathless and wordless. "I was kiddin'," he grinned wide and let out a loud laugh.
"You punk.." Beth swatted Daryl's arm hard but couldn't stay annoyed because it was incredible to see how carefree Daryl looked. He was peaceful. The kind of peaceful he normally was only able to feel when he slept. But he was awake and happy and tranquil.
"I made some stupid decisions in my life, Beth, but I won' add the refusal ta fuck ya ta that list," Daryl kissed along Beth's jaw and Beth wrapped her arms and legs around Daryl, pulling him against her and sighing happily.
"I 100% agree, that would be a horrible decision," Beth kissed Daryl's ear and then frowned. "Wait, get off real quick."
"Beth, I don' wanna joke 'bout it anymore," He whined lowly and ground his hips against Beth's hard.
"No, it's not that.. I have to pee," Beth jutted out her lower lip and looked up at an amused Daryl.
"Yer like a little baby.." Daryl laughed and rolled off of her with a groan. "Hurry, please," he slapped Beth's ass when she sauntered off in her panties.
Beth raised a wicked eyebrow before going into the bathroom to do her stuff. As she finished and washed her hands, she looked in the mirror and was shocked to find that her expression was the same as Daryl's; happy and carefree. Finally.
She stepped out of the bathroom and blinked at the bed in confusion when she saw that Daryl wasn't in it. "Where are you?" Beth called out and then let out a noise of surprise when she was pushed chest first against the wall by a strong body.
"I seem ta remember discussin' fuckin' ya this way.." Daryl whispered huskily in her ear and sucked on the lobe.
Beth knew it was going to be a long night.