And here is your explanation. I always planned to go this route, and I hope you all enjoy where I'm taking this journey.
You are all so wonderful! Thank you!
For a moment, Beth sat like stone. Surely, she had not heard Daryl correctly. Her heart was still beating in her ears from the adrenaline of their possible capture. She just hadn't heard Daryl correctly.
"Did you say 'your brother'?" Beth asked, praying she had indeed hadn't heard what she knew she had.
"Mm-mhm," Daryl said, still smiling arrogantly and Beth saw a tad bit of possessiveness in that smile too; it made her shiver just a bit. "That damn boy has been taking things away from me my entire life." Daryl continued, running a calloused hand through his ruffled hair. It was useless though. His mane had grown so long it was utterly unmanageable. "I guess I win this time."
Heat roared in Beth and her eyes flared in frustration. She had ran away from the only home she had ever known because she had been bought and sold by men and straight into this man's arms, who was now comparing her to a prize. Refusing to meet Daryl's eyes, Beth rose to her feet. Tears swam in them, as she stomped away from him.
"Beth," Daryl called after her, clearly bemused. Beth stomped faster, but she could hear him behind her, easily catching up to her. "Hell, slow down, woman."
"No." Beth said, confidently, refusing to even turn to face Daryl. Before she could take another step, a masculine hand coiled itself around her forearm, turning her with a gentle push.
When Beth finally looked up at Daryl, he took a step away. The pain of his words must have been etched into her face because knowledge and regret was now present in his eyes.
"I'm not some...some whore to bought, Daryl Dixon!" Beth shouted, pushing him away from her with all of her might. Daryl had the good nature to let himself be moved. Beth knew it was all an act for her benefit though and it just angered her more. Losing control, Beth rushed at him, allowing her fists to find purchase anywhere she could. Tears rolled out of her eyes and a battle cry erupted from her mouth. The cry continued until Beth was sobbing and instead of pushing Daryl away, she was grabbing his vest and pulling herself into the man.
Beth expected his strong arms to wrap around her, but for a few moments she felt nothing, but her damp cheeks rubbing against the rough texture of the leather of Daryl's vest. The thought that Daryl didn't care to comfort her made her Beth feel even weaker and she sobbed harder, digging her fingers into the fabric until she felt stinging pain in their tips.
As her breakdown continued on, Beth felt shaking hands rest hesitantly on the small of her back. "I'm sorry, sweetheart." Beth sobbed on, but intermixed with her weakness and embarrassment was cold to the touch shock. Summoning what was left of her courage and pride, Beth looked up and saw true remorse in Daryl's face. "I didn't mean it that way, Beth. I swear I didn't."
They stayed like that for a moment. Daryl, uncomfortable, but present and Beth unknowing of how to proceed. Just as quickly is it had reared up, her anger was falling back into a reasonable state of existence. It was still present in her, always would be, Beth was certain; it was contained, controlled now. It was her curiosity and confusion now taking the lead. Taking a small step back, pushing a loose strand of blonde hair from her face from where it had stuck to her drying tears, Beth steadied her voice, "It doesn't matter."
Quickly, but softly, Daryl cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him fully, "It does matter."
"I want to know how." Beth said, ignoring the the heartwarming effect his words had on her.
Daryl nodded slowly and glanced at the ground. "Want to try this again?" He said, motioning downward. Beth quirked an eyebrow, but plopped a bit more gracefully than before on her bottom. Daryl let a long sigh before joining her. He seemed at a loss for how to begin.
"Just start from how far back you remember." Beth said, encouragingly.
"I remember too much." Daryl said, looking down to where his hands were ripping at some dead leaves on the cool forest floor.
Beth didn't know how to respond, so she didn't. She was intent on letting Daryl tell this story on his own and in his own time. Sensing her eyes on him, Beth assumed, Daryl lifted his head. "Did Carol tell you how my mother met my father?"
"Yes." Beth said, unashamed.
"Then you know that Merle and I don't share a father. Mother was married once before to a man named Dixon, Will Dixon." Daryl paused, lips turned up into a hateful sneer. "As much as a bastard as I knew my father to be, Will Dixon was worse, according to Merle. It doesn't matter though. My mother was widowed and at the time pregnant. The shock of her first husband's death though, she lost that baby." Daryl paused to make sure Beth was still with him. She nodded for him to continue, fully listening. "Milk was still there though, which is how she came to be in Franklin Walsh's home. Shane's mother was close to delivery and a nursemaid was required."
Beth understood this part of Daryl's story all too well. Women of the higher class never sustained their children from their own breast. It just didn't happen. Beth had never understood the custom though. She had always thought that would be a wonderful bonding moment between mother and child; her class saw it only as a burden. "In her late pregnancy, my father didn't see his wife as anything remotely attractive or touchable. Mother seemed to fit that bill though and he began courting her behind the lady of the manor's back. Shane's mother died days after Shane was born, and mother took over as his nursemaid. The affair continued and I was the result." Daryl paused for a moment, his brow creasing. "Being his blood didn't prove to be of much help. Shane has never looked at me as a brother because my father never looked at me as a son."
"What about your mother?" Beth asked, her voice shaking. "How could she-"
"Didn't have much of a choice. Two children, soiled reputation. Where would she go? She died when I was real young anyhow. Merle misses her though; he feels responsible still."
"I'm sorry." It was all Beth could think to say and she truly meant it. She couldn't imagine her father ever laying a hand on her. Parents were meant to protect their children; to have that trust violated was such a horrid thought and to know Daryl had experienced exactly that brought tears swimming back in her eyes. Her emotional reaction didn't go unnoticed by Daryl.
"Don't cry for me, sweetheart." He said, his face turning pink. Beth choked back a sob and wiped her face quickly. If Daryl was going to bear his scars so well, she could, at least, honor him by doing the same.
"Your turn, Beth." Daryl said, clearing his throat. Beth remained quiet, but Daryl folded his arms and quelled her with a look that told her that she was going to tell her end of the story or they were going to be on sitting out there all night.
" The marriage was arranged by my father." Beth began, "I only knew of your brother in social circles, superficially. I had seen him about but never interacted personally with him. I just couldn't marry someone I didn't know, yet alone love, so I ran away, as you already know." And thought me a coward for, Beth finished in her secret thoughts.
"The group needs to know this, Beth. There's no way around it." Daryl said, not acknowledging her confession, letting her keep her pride. "Shane won't give up on finding you and everyone will need to know to keep an eye out." Beth nodded, understanding Daryl's reasons.
"What happens when he finds me?" Beth asked, quietly and afraid of his answer.
Daryl smiled a genuine smile, grabbing her chin in his fingers again. "You'll handle that, sweetheart. I'll make damn sure that you handle my brother."
Beth laughed loudly, but then remembered why they were here and looked at Daryl sheepishly. He didn't seem to be angry, but rather amused. Beth decided then that while the old her would be offended at his amusement at her mistakes, the new Beth Greene never would be. For some odd reason, Beth felt adored when she saw his smile pointed at her, which was absurd. Daryl Dixon couldn't adore her.
As if he had heard her thoughts and wanted to assuage her fears, Daryl reached out and slowly caressed Beth's cheek, never shirking her glance. The moment felt so intimate that Beth her cheeks heat up. Before she could analyze the effect, Daryl leant into her space; his eyes stayed with hers.
Beth knew he was going to kiss her, but he seemed to be relishing the moment, intent on taking his time. His fingers rolled over her skin, achingly slow. Sensations Beth had never felt or understood slid through her. Her skin prickling from the effect. Her eyes shut on demand and she unintentionally sighed.
Beth's eyes shot open in shock. Daryl didn't seem to notice, except for the small chuckle that escaped him as he closed the distance between them, bringing his lips to her own.
The kiss was chaste and over before Beth would have liked it to be. But, it was beautiful in its simplicity. Rising to his feet, Daryl didn't shy away from Beth like their last experience, but held out his hand. Beth gladly took it, allowing him to help her to her feet.
As the made their way back to the camp, Beth hoped Daryl had been right-that she could handle Shane when the time came. She wanted so much to be the warrior that this rugged outlaw wanted her to be.