Warning Mature content ahead. It's marked with the stars (**) so when you reach that part if you care to skip it go ahead. it's just a little bit I added in for fun. Otherwise enjoy!
Chapter 12 – Memory Road
Beth's head slammed against the back of the seat, jerking her awake as the truck shook. Her sight blurred as she took in the bright, neon sign before swiveling around to the back woods spreading out behind the buildings.
"Where?" she asked, rubbing at her eyes to clear her vision before sitting up, and getting a better look around. She knew they'd been on the road for a while. Having stopped several times to let Merle out so that he could pee. One stop had him demanding that she move over. "Get where you belong," he mumbled receiving a slap in the back of the head once he settled from Daryl who glared daggers at him from over her head. Beth settled in after that, finding Daryl's heavy leather jacket far more comfortable to lean upon than the window and she didn't begrudge Merle one bit.
She wouldn't tell him that of course.
Now she sat up, noticing they were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but a few closed up shops and a row of cars parked in front of some run down bar. "What are we doin?" she asked, her voice still slurred a bit as sleep held onto her. She'd attempted to stay up with Daryl for the fourteen hour drive from New York to Atlanta, but somewhere between cities she must have passed out. She knew she would, she was never one to stay awake for a car ride. Anything longer then forty minutes was guaranteed to have her snoozing.
"We're runnin low on cash," he said, as he climbed out of the car. Merle stepped out of the passenger side and Beth furrowed her brows as she watched him scratch at himself at the front of the truck before looking toward Daryl for the answers.
"Okay, so we're getting drunk?" she asked, sliding across the seat. Daryl stepped in front of the door, one hand resting on the roof of the car and the other hand on the steering wheel effectively blocking her exit.
"No, you're stayin here." He gave her a pointed look, making sure her gaze met his so that she could get how serious he was. Beth looked toward Merle, who was now lighting up a cigarette and shook her head, opening her mouth ready to argue when Daryl pointed a finger in her face.
"Don't," he said, placing his finger under her chin to close her mouth. Beth took it as a nice way of telling her to shut up, and she glowered at him. "I don't want you in here. I don't want you anywhere near this crowd."
Beth looked at him, swallowing as she thought about why he wouldn't want her in there. "How you gettin the money?"
Daryl shook his head, unable to meet her eyes as he licked his lips and stepped away from the car. Beth pulled him back, grabbing his face to make him look at her. "Daryl," she said, more as a question than actually speaking his name and he met her hard stare with one of his own apologetic ones.
"Don't worry about it. Just keep the car runnin and stay here." he emphasized the last part, like a part of him knew that Beth wouldn't sit still for long if she had any other choice, but seeing the desperation in his eyes, the silent plea that he placed there, Beth nodded her head and leaned over to place a slight kiss on his lips.
"Let's get this bullshit done, Lil' brother," Merle hollered from the front of the truck. Beth glanced at him, returning his glower with one of her own as she released her hold on Daryl and let him step back. He shut the door, nodding his head at her before turning to Merle, "Come on," he muttered, rushing to catch up with the older man.
Beth leaned back against the car, watching as the two brothers disappeared into a cloud of smoke and ruckus. Telling herself to take a deep breath and relax as she waited in the dark. She looked around the small town, noting the old buildings lined up on either side of the street. Most of them closed, though there was one other building with it's light's lit up and cars wrapped around the corner. From the sign that she noticed over the street it was some sort of bar&grill establishment and her stomach rumbled with the realization that it'd been some time since they last ate.
Looking back at the beat up old bar that Daryl and Merle walked in, she sat back and linked her fingers together over her stomach wondering how much longer they would be. She could only imagine what was going on in there. Who they were talking to. She wasn't stupid. She remembered the two bags of dried up vampire blood that Daryl had taken from Merle in order to get him out of that crack house and she could only guess that's where they were getting the money from now.
It would explain Merle's sour mood, though he didn't look to begrudging about the whole thing. Must mean there was something in it for him. What was the question, but Beth settled back in the seat and decided not to worry about it. Whatever Daryl promised his brother, was between them.
Several people walked by as Beth waited. Most of them with long dirty hair, jean and leather jackets and the most sour faces she'd ever seen on any one person. Some of them made her crouch into her seat further, hoping to avoid their stares even as they peered at her. One group of guys made shivers run down Beth's spine as they came by. They were younger than some of the others that passed by and a couple of them were pointing in her direction, making crude gestures as they laughed, glancing at her the entire time.
Beth's nerves shot up, and she quickly reached over to first the passenger side to lock the door and then her own door before bringing her legs up onto the driver's side so that she could curl up. She knew the idea was pointless. There wouldn't be much they had to do to get into the truck and they realized it too as they laugh even harder and moved on from the truck. Breathing a little easier as they disappeared into the cloud of smoke like all the others.
Still, she didn't move from her spot, her eyes glued on the door of the bar wishing for the two brothers to return. When the group of guys that leered at her returned out from the doorway several minutes later, Beth sucked in a deep breath and released it the next second when she recognized a bald head mixed in the bunch, his head hung low as he continued speaking with whom Beth assumed to be the leader. Daryl appeared behind him, his gaze barely scanning over her before turning in their direction. When they rounded the corner, he leaned against the wall still within her sight. His attention on the group of guys just around the corner though Beth could only imagine that Merle was doing all the talking.
Beth believed that man could talk the devil out of his own soul, or beat it out of him. Either way, Merle got what he wanted and she could only imagine what she was talking those boys out of at the moment. After several minutes, Daryl pulled two small bags from his pocket and pushed into one kids hand at the same time taking something from his other hand. It was such a small movement that if Beth hadn't been staring so hard she wouldn't have noticed it. When it was said and done, the two brother's headed back toward the truck.
Merle popped over to the driver's side, making Beth raise an eyebrow as Daryl opened the door to hop in the passenger side. The small group was pointing at them, their smiles growing wider as their gazes passed over her and then the two brothers. Daryl must have heard what was being said, cause he turned and spit in their direction at the same time he held a finger out to them. Their cat calls turned to threats as he jumped in the passenger seat and Merle put the truck into reverse.
"What was that about?" she asked, looking toward Daryl who was scowling into his hand. His head resting on the window as they drove further away from the bar.
Merle was the one that responded with,"they thought you were really pretty."
Beth looked toward Daryl who had his eyes narrowed on Merle and back out the window to see the group still laughing like a bunch of hyena's. "Oh," she muttered, turning to face forward again and bringing her legs up to wrap her arms around them. She was small enough that the bench seat in the cab allowed her to sit comfortably like that as she rested her chin on her knees and stared out the front window.
"Don't worry about it," Daryl said after a few moments. His hand came up to rub across her shoulder's.
Beth turned her head to stare at him for a moment before saying, "I'm not."
He smirked at her, his eyes searching her face for anything that might contradict her words. When nothing showed, he pulled her closer to him until her head rested on his shoulder and he could place a small kiss on the top of her head.
"Fucking whipped," Merle muttered, his mouth turning into a full on grin as he turned back toward the window.
"Just drive, asshole," Daryl shot back, leaning his head against the window. His arm remained around her shoulder's though, keeping her close to him as the highway came into view again. Beth closed her eyes, still not fully awake and even more sleepy now that she had Daryl wrapped around her. She didn't mean to sleep, figured she'd gotten enough sleep on the drive into Georgia. She meant to sit silently and drift. To enjoy the feel of the man next to her and wonder just how close to the farm they were. If they'd ever get that close to the farm. Next thing Beth knew, her eyes were drifting closed and then she was being shaken awake by a firm hand and a soft voice.
"Hey, Z," Daryl said, pushing her off of him. "Come on. Gas break."
Beth mumbled, her eyes opening now to find that they were indeed parked at a gas station. Merle was already at the pump, flipping the switch and placing the nozzle in the truck as Daryl crawled out the other end and held the door open for her. Stumbling out of the truck, she took a moment to stretch her legs. Already that tingling feeling that comes when you try to wake your limbs up was starting to set in, and Beth leaned over, stretching her back and legs for a moment before standing tall with her arms reaching up over her head.
When she looked to Daryl, he had a slight grin on his face until he noticed Beth grinning back at him and he shook his head and headed inside. Half way through the parking lot, she was stopped by Merle shouting, "Hey, get me one of those half cooked hamburgers they got here."
Daryl gave him a single wave in acknowledgment, but continued walking, leaving Beth to catch up to him. There was a slight smell when Beth entered the place, a dead smell that made her pause until she looked around to find that there was another store opened in the back. From there she could see cameo vests and hats, and what she concluded to be hunting equipment. She raised an eyebrow toward Daryl who shrugged one shoulder before pulling her toward the cold drinks. He handed a few cokes over to her as they passed by before heading down another aisle where he picked up a couple bags of chips. When he held up a bag of funyuns towards her, Beth shook her head and grabbed the cheetos off the shelf.
"Got it," he said, heading back up to the front of the store to drop the stuff on the counter. It was then Beth noticed the small kitchen in the back and looked over the various fried foods. A row of cheeseburgers sat wrapped in the display and Merle's words came back to her as she looked to Daryl as he ordered three of them. He looked over at Beth's concerned stare with one side of his lip raised up in a half smile. "It's not half cooked. Merle just likes his meat charred black."
The man behind the counter didn't say anything as he rang up their total and bagged their food. Daryl opened his wallet and Beth spotted a wad of money stuffed inside as he threw a couple bills on the counter and grabbed the bag. Before he could get too far, Beth stepped to the counter and asked, "is there a bathroom around here?"
The guy gave her a blank stare as he reached under the counter and threw a small key chained to a long board onto the counter. Beth grimaced at the thing as she grabbed the edge of the board and followed Daryl outside. Without saying a word, she turned around the corner where the sign indicated the bathrooms were while he went back toward the truck where Merle was leaning against the hood of the car waiting on both of them. When she came back out a couple of minutes later, she could hear shouting coming from the parking lot. Rounding the corner, she froze for only a minute to hear Daryl holler "I don't give a shit what's there. I ain't goin back to that fuckin trailer!"
Beth heaved out a heavy sigh as she guessed what the argument was about. Merle mentioned once or twice when they entered Georgia that they should head back to the their old trailer. Said there might be a thing or two they could use there. Daryl never answered him, and Beth guessed now Merle pushed a little too far.
Dropping the key back off with the guy behind the counter, she reluctantly headed back over to the brothers. Merle was still leaning against the hood. The space dented in where Beth could imagine he would have slammed his fist on it at some point, while Daryl stood at the front of it, his back turned to his brother as he puffed on a cigarette.
"Look, you can head up there if you want. I ain't gonna chance seein that old man just for whatever shit you want out of there," Daryl said as Beth approached. She assumed they were still talking about heading to their old home and slowed her pace. Hoping to miss the conversation all together. She knew what a sore spot Daryl's childhood was. Hell his whole life had been nothing but a sore spot, and she was beginning to see why. She was smart enough to know pushing him toward anything that had to do with his home was a bad idea, the outbursts at that moonshine trailer they found was a good example of how much of a good idea it was to avoid the whole conversation. Though Beth assumed it was better if anything regarding his family came from Merle, the only other person that lived through his hell with him.
"Yeah, and how do you suppose I do that, Darylina?" Merle asked, almost snarling at his younger brother as Beth passed by the two boys, opting for the inside of the car where she could be included out of the topic. Didn't stop Daryl from staring at her, or the sour look she once again received from Merle. She thought they'd gotten pass all that confrontation on the car ride here, or maybe part of Daryl's hesitation to go home had something to do with her.
"Just drop us off in the next town, we'll hunker down and wait for ya while you take the truck, Merlina!" Daryl suggested, trying for the calm, reasonable brother's role compared to Merle who scoffed at his idea.
"Yeah, and who's goin to help with my bike? Pa?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at Daryl, like he really wanted the answer to that one. Daryl sneered at him, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he threw his cigarette down and muttered a few curses.
"Fine," he said, moving toward the passenger side of the truck. Stopping, he pointed to Merle. "But if that motherfucker is there..." He let his words hang as he pulled the door open further and waited for Beth to move back to the middle of the truck. Merle didn't respond to him beyond a pointed glare before climbing into the driver's side.
Beth sat in the middle, her knees once again drawn up to her chest as she remained quiet. The tension in the car was thick, and weighing heavily down on her as she thought about where she was going. Daryl continued tightening his fists and then releasing them, making his whole body tense over and over again and that only caused Beth to worry even more. Merle wasn't any better. He continued to grip the wheel even tighter as they drove down the street. His knuckles turning white as they turned onto a back road that Beth didn't even notice.
Their food lay forgotten on the floorboard as they continued up the hill, her insides twisting as she rested her head against Daryl's shoulder. Hoping that even that small of a contact would be welcome. She felt him let out a heavy breath before he reached over and wrapped his arm around her legs, pulling her toward him and squeezing her legs. He seemed to relax a bit with the small movement and Beth stayed close to him. Doing what she could to calm him without words. She didn't think anything she said right now would help, and she wasn't willing to try either.
Neither one of them seemed to want to talk and the vegetation grew thicker and the road became narrower. The fact that Merle was remaining quiet as they turned onto a dirt road said everything to Beth, so she rested her head on Daryl's arm and continued watching out the window. When they finally pulled up to the old trailer, it was like stepping into a dream. It was almost like the one she and Daryl stayed at the one night they got drunk off moonshine. Only this one was a dingy white instead of the puke green and the porch was only a few stairs with some wooden posts that held up a sagging roof. The place had an air of abandonment to it, though neither of the Dixon brother's said anything as they pulled up to the back where a garage sat, half leaning but locked up.
"You got the keys?" Daryl asked, as they climbed out of the parked truck. They both kept glancing toward the front door, looking like they were preparing for a fight though nothing seemed to be coming. Merle nodded, digging through his pockets until he pulled out a small ring of keys from the back and shaking it at Daryl. He stepped toward the garage as Daryl and Beth held back, waiting for him to show what was so important back at this place. When he cursed, and attempted another key Daryl gave Beth a quick glance before motioning her to stay close to the truck and he walked forward. "What's wrong?" he asked, over Merle's shoulder.
"Piece of shit changed the fuckin lock," Merle said, kicking at the door as he spun around. His eyes flew to the trailer and then the surrounding woods before he let out another string of curses and headed toward the front door.
"Merle!" Daryl shouted, hanging back by the truck. "Merle!" he shouted again before letting out his own curses. Motioning at Beth, he barked out "stay" while he headed up the stairs. Beth watched the both walking, pausing for a second, before deciding to follow along. As she reached the top of the stairs, she leaned over Daryl's shoulder to read a note with the words 'Notice to Condemn' The date on it was a couple of months back and Beth glanced around to see if there was anything there to knock the place over.
"Probably realized the fuckin place wasn't worth it.," Daryl said, tossing the note to the ground. It was then he noticed Beth standing behind him and he glared at her. "What are you doin?"
"Helpin," she replied, shrugging like it wasn't that big of a deal. Honestly, it shouldn't have been, but Daryl seemed determined to keep her from going inside. Evident in the way he pointed back at the truck and said, "I asked you to stay put."
"You didn't ask," she snapped back, tilting her head back to stare him down. "You demanded."
"There's a difference?" he asked, gaping at her as he turned to face her fully.
"Yes," she replied back looking toward Merle, who was rolling his eyes at the two of them. "And an extra pair of eyes don't hurt." she stated, pushing past him and toward the doorway. Daryl stood there almost fuming as he turned, his gaze never leaving hers as she stopped in the doorway.
"Besides," she said, getting his attention. "I've seen it already."
She didn't wait for a response as she stepped into the trailer. Once again, she was greeted with a torn up recliner that looked about ready to fall down and an old TV that Beth doubted even worked anymore. The carpet was stained with god knew what and the smell of mold was seeping into the house. Over it all was a thin layer of dust that was stirred up the moment Merle walked in the place, though she doubted he noticed it as she heard him flinging through stuff in the back. Instead of commenting on it, she moved toward the kitchen area to start going through the drawers. Hoping there would be something in there that would get them out of here sooner.
Daryl stopped in the middle of the living room, still glaring at her as she continued digging. She spared him a single glance before letting out a heavy sigh. "It's done Daryl. Just let it go."
"When?" he asked, glancing toward the room. She could see his mind working. Trying to figure out if it was Merle that brought her out here, or someone else.
"Before," she replied, moving toward another drawer and dumping that stuff onto the table. It was mostly bolts and screws. Small things that you would find in a workshop and not a home, and Beth went to turn toward another drawer when she noticed Daryl still staring at her, waiting for a better explanation. Looking toward the small hallway where she could hear Merle storming about, she stepped closer to Daryl to whisper. "It wasn't exactly here, but it was close enough. Said so yourself back when..." she waved behind her, trying to indicate in gestures instead of words and understanding dawned on Daryl's face.
"Why would I bring you to a place like this?" he asked, his brows scrunching together trying to understand. Beth felt her stomach twist. The memory of why she went on her quest for something to drink seeping into her and she shook her head. Pushing it all back behind the closed door that she shoved it into.
Not meeting his gaze, she turned toward a small desk tucked in the corner as she said, "just did."
She could feel his eyes heavy on her, trying to understand and coming up blank. Could feel his growing frustration at her silence and she was thankful for Merle's hollering in the other room as she turned to see what he was excited about. Standing in the ruins of what could have been a bedroom, Merle held up a ring of keys with a wide grin on his face. "Found'em under the damn mattress," he said, shoving past her and out the door. Beth followed along, her eyes not meeting Daryl's as they made their way out of the trailer and back toward the garage where Merle was already going through the keys, trying each one until the lock popped open.
When it did, he chuckled. Bemused by the fact that their old man tried to pull one over on them and they still won. When he got inside, there was a large blue tarp that Merle quickly ripped off to reveal an old black motorcycle.
Beth recognized it immediately as the one that Daryl rode up to the farm on, and she had to take a step back as it hit her. "So old," she muttered, nearly to herself, though Daryl and Merle, both heard and they looked up at her with questioning glares. "I mean, it looks old." She continued, doing her best to cover yet another mistake.
She swallowed when Merle glared at her, his smile still plastered on his face as he shot back with, "not old. Just a classic, like me."
Beth rolled her eyes. "My point exactly."
She smirked as he rose to face her. His eyes narrowing on her. "What was that'?"
"Nutin."
Merle grinned at her, practically laughing as he nodded his head and focused back on the bike. Daryl let his own grin show before focusing on the bike as well. Bending over, he ducked his head a little bit and said, "gonna need an oil change before it can run again. Maybe some new spark plugs too." He looked to Merle like he was waiting to see what his brother had to say about all that. Merle shrugged, tilting his head at the bike.
"Nuthin impossible. Help me get it in the truck." He motioned toward the old pick up before he started pushing it in that direction. Beth grabbed some straps she noticed in the back of the garage before following along, her eyes on the familiar bike as he pushed it to the now familiar pick up. She wondered what else was going to become familiar around here as Merle climbed into the back of the truck and she and Daryl lifted it up to him. Daryl jumped in the bed of the truck with him to help him secure it and within minutes they were back on the road.
Once again, Beth looked back at the bike strapped in to the bed of the truck, that was another familiar sight as they drove through the over grown Georgia back country. Her eyes landed on the old trailer house, with it's condemned sign still lying on the floor and its layers of dust and mold growing still. Not one question was uttered about where their father was. Neither one of them seemed concerned with his where-a-bouts or why the place was practically abandoned.
A couple of hours later they pulled up to a motel in the middle of some small town. Daryl ran inside to check out a room and soon they found themselves in a small space with two double beds, microwave and small time TV that was bolted to the wall. Beth smirked at the sight, shaking her head as she dropped her bag to the floor next to the bed and collapsed upon it. The air rushing out of her lungs as her eyes closed to enjoy the softness. Who would have thought that a fourteen hour car ride could exhaust her. Especially since she slept through most of it.
The sound of the Microwave popping open caught attention and she looked over to see Merle throwing his half eaten burger inside. Beth scrunched her nose at the thought. She'd eaten some of the food on the way back from their trailer house, but she didn't think she could handle another bite of that burger. Sighing, she sat up and looked down at her T-shirt that she'd been wearing since the night Daryl returned. Looking at the bathroom, she said, "I really need a shower."
Daryl glanced at her, his eyes darkening for a split second before he looked toward the floor. "You need clothes," he mumbled. His words muffled by the fact that he was now chewing on his thumb. Beth gave him a half smile as she nodded. "Yeah."
The microwave went off and Merle grabbed his food, preparing to eat it when Daryl stood and grabbed his arm. Dragging him out toward the door with a confused look on Merle's face. Even Beth rose an eyebrow at his movements before he shoved Merle out the door and turned to face her. "Take your shower. "We'll get you some clothes."
Beth faintly heard Merle outside saying, "we will?" before he was glowered at and Daryl turned to her again. "Shouldn't be too long. Saw a store not far from here."
"Thank you," Beth mouthed, smiling slightly before the door was shut and she was left alone in the room. She looked around the space, lost by being on her own for a moment before it dawned on her that Daryl probably wouldn't take that long, and it would be better if she was done with her shower before the brothers returned.
Getting up, she went into the bathroom to turn on the shower and stripped down. Allowing the water to roll over her skin. Practically refreshing it as the hot water burned her. She liked the hot water. Found she was through with the cold water while she didn't have to deal with it, because she knew she'd get more than enough of that the steam building up in the room, and her own humming going on, she barely heard the knock on the door until it was almost a bang. Poking her head out of the shower, she hollered, "yeah?"
"Clothes are on the counter," Daryl said through the door. Beth hollered another thank you and went back to showering. Ensuring that she was completely clean and refreshed before shutting the shower off and drying herself off.
Poking her head out the door, she noticed a somewhat bored looking Daryl on the bed, laying so that his back was turned away from the bathroom and no sign of Merle anywhere. So, before Daryl could notice, Beth grabbed the clothes off the counter. Daryl managed to scrounge up a blue flannel shirt, tank top and a pair of jeans that Beth was thankful for as she shimmied into them. Stepping out of the bathroom, she spotted another bag sitting on the counter and smiled the biggest smile she could muster when she spotted a hair brush, tooth brush and paste packed inside of it.
"You're the best," she hollered over her shoulder, taking the stuff back into the bathroom so that she could finish up. She came back out a few minutes later, smiling as she climbed toward Daryl still on his side on the bed.
"Daryl?" she whispered, when she noticed the man still in the same position that she saw him in moments ago. When she didn't get a response, she walked over to the other side and slightly pushed his shoulder back to find that his eyes were closed, and his breathing steady."Well," she muttered, looking around the room. There was no sign of the oldest Dixon brother and no where to really go so Beth climbed into bed next to Daryl. Doing her best not to wake him since she realized he needed his sleep. Though the attempts proved futile when Daryl wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him as he muttered, "feel better?"
"Hmm," was Beth's response as she nuzzled her way under his chin where she could curl up closer to him. "What about you?"
Daryl pressed his lips against the top of her head and replied, "in a minute. Comfortable right now."
Beth giggled, not doing anything to remove herself from the man's side. Instead, she inhaled his scent, taking in the left over cigarette smell and cologne that she doubted would ever leave the man. She hoped not, she loved the smell. His fingers slide under her shirt, running across her skin until goosebumps could be felt rising up. Beth shivered, pressing further into Daryl to suppress the movement. Daryl felt it. She knew he did in the way his head dipped down and he pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead. Causing her body to heat up, and she found herself pressing against him before slowly pulling back to look up to find he was looking at her too.
** His gaze searched hers, looking for something, what Beth wasn't sure, as he brushed a strand of hair back, his fingers trailing down to caress along her neck. She could feel the goose bumps rising on her flesh there as well and she couldn't stop her breath from hitching.
His hand rested on the spot joining her shoulder and neck, where his thumb continued making small circles across her skin. Her own hand came up to caress his jaw, running across his scruffy face until her thumb moved across the edge of his lips, causing him to open his mouth. Beth stared at his lips, captivated as he turned just that small inch to kiss the inside of her palm. Her mouth went dry, watching it happen in slow motion as he turned back to her and she rose up to press her lips against his. His hand held her head to his, while his curled through her hair, brushing across her scalp as he did so and a shudder ran through Beth's body. One that went from head to toe as she moved her lips across his. Getting intoxicated on the taste of him, on the feel of him so close to her. She could stay wrapped in his arms forever. It was the safest, warmest place she knew and she wouldn't want to stop herself from being addicted to this.
Daryl licked across her bottom lip, causing her to gasp and allowing him entrance as Beth wrapped her arms around his neck. Crushing him to her as their kiss deepened. The heat curled in her stomach, burning up her insides as she rocked against him. Searching for something that she couldn't name until she felt it, covered in layers of fabric, but still undeniably pressed up against her.
"Daryl," she moaned, the sound swallowed up as he rocked back against her. His hand sliding down to rest on her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh even as he pushed her back and broke away their kiss. Beth gasped for air, her brows furrowing as she looked at him, confused as to why he stopped.
She leaned in to kiss him again, barely brushing across his lips as he pulled away from her. "What?" she asked, confused as to what broke the moment for him. He continued looking at her, his eyes darting back and forth for a moment before he asked, "ya sure?"
Beth smiled, choking down a laugh as she nodded her head. "Yes," she replied, kissing him again. "Yes, a million times, yes," she repeated pressing her lips against his into one bruising kiss that had her whole body heating up. Propping her leg up around his hip, she pushed him back until she was straddling him. Daryl's expression was a mixture of confusion and elation as he watched her prop herself up over him. Beth smiled down at him as she undid the buttons on her shirt, taking her time as she watched him watch her. When she slid the shirt back off her shoulders, he bit the inside of his lips, his eyes darting to her own before going back down to see her lifting the tank top off and revealing the plain white bra he'd bought not an hour ago.
Beth's own chest felt like it was constricting, making it harder to breath as she watched his eyes go darker still and his lower region jumping as she pulled down first one strap and then the other. Slowly revealing herself to him. Before she could pull the bra completely off, his hand clasped around her hips and lifted her off. Quickly flipping her over so that he rested on top of her. Beth gasped, a small squeal escaping her lips as she looked up at him. He held himself off of her, hands on either side of her head as he looked her up and down. The butterflies in Beth's stomach burst at the look of wanting in his eyes. The way his arms trembled for that brief moment as they held himself away from her, told her millions and it was her turn to bite on her lip as she met his gaze.
"Thought you were going ta have all the fun, did ya?" he asked, leaning closer to her. Beth smiled, nodding as he nuzzled her head up for easy access to her neck. She giggled as his hair brushed across her skin, almost tickling her before his lips pressed down on her neck. Nipping at the skin there before he licked the pain away. "Hmm," Beth moaned, arching up as she tried to bring their bodies back together. Needing the feeling of him rubbing against her, almost aching for it. Daryl positioned his weight onto one arm, bringing them somewhat closer together until his other hand spanned across her stomach and pushed her back down.
"Slow down, baby," he whispered against her skin, moving further down until his nose slide along the edge of her bra, sending another set of goose bumps across her skin until his hand came back to pull the bra back. Slowly revealing herself to him.
The moment the cold air hit her chest, Beth felt her breathing hitch. Her eyes focused solely on Daryl as he took her in. One side of his lips came up when he met her gaze before leaning down and kissed between her breasts. Heating her skin up and causing the ache between her legs to increase. She pressed up, hoping to find some relief as she felt her hips brush against his. Daryl responded in kind, bringing his weight down on her lower half and grinding against her. Another moan escaped her lips, one that she tried to suppress by biting her lip. Daryl nipped at her breasts before pulling back to glare at her. Their eyes met for a moment, and she could see the reprimand there. As if making sure she understood the meaning, he bent down and sucked on her nipple. Taking it into his mouth and rolling it with his tongue as his hips rocked against her again. Beth didn't try to hide her moan this time. She threw her head back, and arched into him as the moan filled the room and when Daryl pulled back this time, he met her gaze at the same time he left a kiss on the underside of her breast before moving over and applying the same ministrations to the other one. Beth's fingers curled in his hair, pulling on the ends even as she pressed his head to her, not wanting him to stop.
His fingers slide up her side, one taking her other breasts in his hands and massaging it as he focused on the other before he moved down. Leaving a trail of nips and licks across her stomach until he reached her belly button. There he dipped his tongue inside and swirled it around and Beth didn't know something like that could feel so good. Her back arched at the movement, her head falling back as her eyes rolled. She could feel the heat pooling in her center, burning her even as he moved lower. Taking his time as he explored every inch of her body.
When his facial hair slide across her stomach, right at the edge of her jeans Beth bit her lower lip, a small "mmm" escaping as she rolled her head to the side. Daryl nipped at her hip, briefly glaring up at her for the second time before pushing himself up to pop the button on her jeans and grab both ends.
He paused for a moment, still looking at her as he gave her pants a brief tug. Beth arched up, allowing him to pull her pants off of her without any problems. This time her hand went in front of her lips as she tried to hide the blush that she knew must be appearing on her face. She could feel her skin heat up as his eyes traveled over her, his hands following along as they started at her ankles and sliding up along her legs. Leaving a slow trail that heated up her skin, to the inside of her thighs until his hands came to rest on her hips, just above her panties where he froze for a second time.
"Last chance," he whispered, not bothering to move as he took in a deep breath. Beth nodded her head, again lifting her hips so that he could easily remove her underwear.
Then she was completely bare and Daryl was lying over her. Covering her from head to toe, and she could feel his heat matching her own as he hovered above her. She met his gaze, her nerves hitting her ten fold even though she'd done this before. Once, in a barn that felt like ages ago. Somehow this was different. That was her exploring, attempting to get everything from a life that'd been torn away from her. This was her falling for a man that took her completely by surprise. One that she never expected to share this experience with. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as he slowly lowered himself on her. His legs nudging hers wider to make room for him, and Beth kept her gaze level with his own. His searching her for any discomfort as he pressed into her. Going slow at first. Allowing her body to adjust to him before picking up his pace. Setting a rhythm that Beth easily matched as she rose up to meet his thrust. Building that small flame into an inferno as he continued moving in and out. The friction getting her closer to that ledge she could feel was just there.
She grew light headed, her eyes rolling back as each exhale turned into a moan until she was rising up faster to meet his thrust. Picking up the slow pace until they were both slamming into each other. Until her muscles tightened around him and she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head into his shoulder. Pressing her lips to the skin there to contain the cries until she felt that final bursts of release and she bit down on his shoulder, smothering her last moan even as Daryl's own drowned it out, his body stiffening as she started to relax and then he collapsed, pushing himself to the side as he lay there panting.
Beth took in a few deep gasps of air, her body shaking with after shocks as she looked over to see Daryl with his arm lying across his eyes and his mouth open as he attempted to catch his own breath.
After a moment, his eye blue eye met hers and she lost herself in the emotion swirling there. The way they gazed into her eyes, like he could finally see all of her.
"That was..." she attempted to say, still gasping for breath. She didn't have to finish though because he nodded his head, completely understanding what she was going to say as he pulled her closer. Dragging her into the crook of his arm where she could turn and rest her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beat starting to slow down, going back to that familiar rhythm and Beth closed her eyes. Enjoying the moment as they both came down from the high. **
After a few minutes, Daryl stirred, his head falling back to look toward the clock and he let out a snort. Beth pulled back to look up at him, waiting for him to say what was wrong. Instead, he reached over and moved the hair from her eyes, staring at her for a moment before leaning down to give her a quick kiss. This one calm and sweet, and everything that Beth loved before he pulled back.
"You hungry?" he asked, still caressing her jaw. Beth smiled, her eyes closing for a moment as she laughed at the absurdity of the question. Though as she thought about it, she could feel her stomach protesting a bit and she remembered that'd only had half a crappy burger and a bag of cheetos that day.
"Yeah," she muttered, still smiling at the situation.
"Good, cause Merle will be here any minute," he said, pulling away from her so that he could dress. Beth rolled over, looking for her own clothes to pull on and then to the bathroom to brush her hair back one more time before leaving.
They made their way round the corner, opting to walk instead of driving the truck, and Beth smiled as she glanced at the man next to her from the corner of her eye.
She could see the young man that she met over a year ago, with his big smile and light attitude, but then the Daryl she knew after was starting to seep through. Being here in Georgia made him surly and closed off and she wondered why he even wanted to go home. Could have been the familiarity of the place. Something about breathing in the Georgia air and seeing the Georgia trees, even had her feeling a little bit better. Their hands brushed against each others, and Daryl surprised her by taking her hand and linking them together. He didn't look at her, just kept his head up with his other hand in his pocket as he looked one way down the street and then the other before pulling her across.
Once across they headed to the twenty-four hour diner on the corner of the street that advertised a slew of breakfast foods that was promised to be made all day. Beth eyed the pancakes advertisement, and when she stepped inside she wasn't disappointed.
The smell of pancakes and sausage filled the air as they were ushered toward a booth. Daryl earned a slight scowl from the waitress as he slid into the booth with his back against the wall and feet propped up in front of him. Beth gave the woman an apologetic glance as she slid into the other side. The woman didn't say anything, however, as she pulled out a small card, telling them her name and then asking for drinks.
Daryl ordered his usual coke, and Beth said she wanted the same. When the waitress left, they sat in silence. Beth stared out the window with a smile still spread across her face. Her hands tapped out a small beat as she stared at the man staring at everyone else. Remembering how his eyes shined not moments ago inside the hotel room. She could still feel her whole body heating up at the memory and she had to turn away from him. Afraid that the awed sort of look in her eyes might be noticeable to, not only him, but to the others around them.
Instead, she focused on the people that he kept staring at. Her gaze darting from one person to the next like he was taking them all in. Leaning her head on her hand, she took in the small family closest to them first before jumping to the elderly couple across the room, both with smiles spread across their face as they looked at each other. She wondered if they would have the same look in their eyes as those two did in so many years, and she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face as her gaze darted back to Daryl to find him already staring at her. Something else already shining in his eyes as he looked from her quirked up lips to her blue eyes. Beth cleared her throat, looking down at the menu sitting before her.
"Nice place," Beth commented, more of a mumble than anything and she peeked up to see if Daryl heard before continuing. "Much like the small town I grew up in."
"Where was that?" he asked, cocking his eyebrow up at her. She could see he didn't expect her to answer. Probably thought it would be another secret she would be more than willing to take to her grave. She decided to surprise him. Give him a little bit about herself. He had just shown her a bit of himself after all.
"Senoia," she replied, looking toward the table.
"That's a couple hours outside Atlanta," he said, glancing at her. Beth nodded, somewhat surprised that he'd even heard of the place. "Been through there a couple of times."
Beth nodded, her eyes still not meeting his as she smiled at the thought they he might have even passed by her farm on a handful of occasions without even realizing it. How small their world really was, amazed her at times.
"Daddy's got a farm out there, " she said without thinking. Her eyes going distant again as her past came back up. The thought of her mother and father, brother and sister. All of them out there right now, happy as can be. Blissfully unaware of how short their time together was.
"Must have been nice growing up there," Daryl continued, watching the people around them once again. Beth glanced at him, wondering what kind of a statement that was.
"It was," she said, deciding to push a little and see where it led. "Had a horse named Nelly. Loved riding her all over the fields and in the woods. Could get lost in those woods; if my parents would let me."
Daryl lips turned up, peering at her from the corner of his eye. Beth smiled, glad to see that what she said didn't set him off.
"Easy to get lost in the wood's," he said, looking at the people again. The waitress came by at that point, handing them the drinks and pulling a pad out of her pocket. "Know what you want to eat?" she asked, looking first at Beth and then Daryl.
"Steak and Eggs," Daryl replied, looking up at the woman. "Medium done."
"Pancakes," Beth said after, smiling as she thought about the food. The woman wrote down their orders and headed away from the table. Silence fell around them again, allowing Beth to drift down memory lane for a while. Thinking about all those little things that made her so happy at home, and wishing she could go back to them. So lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear what Daryl said until she looked up to meet his blue eyes. They were looking at her, waiting for some sort of response, but Beth could only manage to ask "what?" because she hadn't heard what he said the first time.
"Said there's a help wanted sign over there," he nodded toward a small garage on the corner of the street that Beth gave a quick glance before looking back at him. "Maybe we could stay here. Be bout like home anyways."
Beth grimaced at that, unsure if he was speaking about his childhood home or hers, and finding that she didn't want him comparing any place they stayed in to his childhood home. Wanted to give him something better, and as her eyes traveled over the old diner, and small town street she realized it wouldn't be so bad here. They could even build something here if they really wanted to.
"Alright," she said, smiling. "We could be good here."
He returned her smile, his hand reaching out to catch her own in a small grip, squeezing it for just a moment before the waitress returned yet again with their food.
Really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for the sweet comments on the previous one. Their always welcome and I look forward to reading what you people think. Kinda scared to post this one, and you probably read why. I don't do well with love scenes, but I do try on occasion. And I do believe this is one of my longer chapters so, hopefully, that will hold you over for the weekend. Anyways, I'll be doing some time jumps from here. Getting us into the Walking Dead universe, though I am going to post a couple of moments with Beth and Daryl able to be a normal couple. Hope you enjoy those when they come up. And I know Beth's kinda been pushed back and just there for most of the action, but I promise she will get her badass moments later on.
Thanks again for reading and until next time.
