First Impressions

I hate that it's been so long since I've updated but life gets in the way sadly. In any case, here is another chapter! I hope you love it!

I don't own the Walking Dead, if I did there would be so much more Bethyl.

Beth tapped her fingers on the table nervously, she couldn't help but check her phone for the third time in the past five minutes. The young blonde hadn't heard from her roommate in two days and while that was normal for Harley to disappear the tattoo artist would typically let Beth know ahead of time when to expect something like this.

"Just call her brother." Maggie rolled her eyes at her younger sister. "There's still plenty of time until the party, she's probably just trying to avoid all the awkward small talk you'll put her through."

"You know that's not true." Beth glared at her older sister. "Besides I don't know Daryl's number."

Maggie sighed, she loved her sister but couldn't understand why Beth was so reluctant to get Daryl's number. Especially with Harley's tendency to disappear. Really Maggie couldn't understand Beth's friendship with the girl at all.

"Just go down to his work Bethy, but make sure you're not late for the party." Maggie picked up her purse and left her sister's apartment. Beth rolled her eyes, she knew that Maggie was nervous about the party and wedding in general and that made her more of a bitch than usual.

Sighing Beth slipped on some flats and headed down to her car, she knew that realistically she could just call the shop but Beth was determined to find Harley. Plus Beth had to admit that even though most of her interactions with Daryl Dixon weren't friendly she was attracted to the handsome man. Soon she was pulling up to the shop, she spotted Daryl's motorcycle well Harley had borrowed it on occasion stating that they shared it but it was a sign that he was there at least.

"Hey Beth!" Amy smiled widely at Beth as she entered the shop, the young blonde smiled back and walked up to the counter.

"Is Daryl around?" Beth asked. Amy looked at Beth, surprised that she was asking for the closed off man.

"Yeah, he just finished up with a costumer so he should be cleaning up." Amy pointed to where Daryl's room was down the hall. "Shawn and I are going to be a little late, he's picking me up from here so I have to swing home and change."

Harley and Beth had introduced Shawn to Amy after the two girls had known each other for a while. They thought that Beth's brother and Harley's coworker/friend would be a great pair so Beth talked Shawn into meeting Harley at the shop for a tattoo he'd been thinking about and Harley happened to be talking to Amy at the same time Shawn came to talk to Harley. The two were married the next year.

"Does Maggie know?" Beth smirked as Amy shook her head and winked at her sister in law.

"Hell naw, she'd have my head!" The two laughed and Beth made her way down the hall to the room where Daryl's name was drawn on a white board in bold letters. There was a dragon and a tiger drawn on it as well and Beth could tell the dragon was Harley's work so the tiger must've been Daryl's. She was struck by how detailed and beautiful it was. Beth knocked on the door.

"Come in." Daryl said from the other side of the door. Beth walked in, the walls were a simple white and filled with pictures of tattoos, places around the world and various pictures of Daryl with Harley mostly but every now and then their older brother Merle.

"Hi Daryl." Beth said as she tried to not sound slightly irritated. Daryl looked up from setting some things up, surprised to see Beth at the shop. "I haven't heard from Harley in about two days, I know that it's pretty normal for her to disappear for a while but typically she lets me know beforehand. Today's also Maggie and Glenn's engagement party, Harley promised Glenn that she'd be there."

Daryl sighed, he hated when Harley did shit like this. She pulled the exact bullshit that Merle did. Although she was much more responsible about it than Merle and she didn't really do anything except go off to places by herself. It still worried him.

"I'll find her and have Harley at the party right on time." Daryl looked at Beth, he could see the worry in her eyes and was surprised how she truly seemed to care for his sister.

"Thank you, I've gotten used to her going off by herself but it still worries me." Beth explained, Beth looked around the room her eyes asking if it was okay. Daryl didn't seem to mind. "I'd normally let her come home on her own but Glenn and my parents were really looking forward to seeing her."

Daryl nodded, he was also used to his sister going off and him not knowing where she was. She'd turn off her phone or not take it wherever it was she went. He was grateful that he knew his sister all too well to know where she would go. Daryl watched Beth as she looked at one of Daryl's favorite picture, it was right before he left to help his pa take care of his ma. Harley took the picture, her face contorted in a silly way while he had a smirk. Merle was there too, a drunk smile on his face. The three siblings looked relatively happy. If you ignored how Merle seemed to be off to the side, not really close to the other two, and the slightly sad look in Daryl's eyes.

"This is a good picture, Harley seems really happy here." Beth commented. Daryl made a sound that Beth didn't know if he was agreeing or not. "Anyways, thank you again for finding Harley. I know she can take care of herself and all but I don't want her letting anyone down. I should be going, I have to get going."

Beth said her goodbyes and went back to her apartment. She had plenty of time so she took a shower and dried her hair to get it out of the way then put her dress on. Harley had convinced Beth to get it and when Beth put the dress on, she could see why. It was a high waist dress with a button up collar, it was a little shorter than what Beth would normally choose yet seeing the pale pink color and the black bow that went around her waist for the belt, she loved it and how it looked on her. Deciding to leave her hair down, Beth put on some light make up. She grabbed her purse and slid on a pair of heels. Beth made her way down to her car and then to the restaurant where the engagement party was being held.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Maggie exclaimed as her sister entered the dining area set up specifically for the party. "Nothing seems to be going right, Shawn just texted and said he'll be late. Glenn's not here yet either, the servers told me that one of the appetizers I wanted isn't available because of some mix up with deliveries and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a panic attack!"

Beth placed her hands on her older sister's shoulders, making sure Maggie was focusing on Beth. Maggie seemed to calm down a little bit more but Beth could still see that the young brunette was worried.

"Mags, I need you to calm down. Get a drink, then call Glenn and see where the hell he is. When Shawn gets here you can yell at him all you want but right now it's not a big deal. I'll go and take care of the appetizers." Beth could see Maggie start to breathe again.

Beth went over to one of the waiters and asked to see the manager. After sorting everything out Beth checked on her sister, seeing Maggie typing away furiously on her cell, she then decided to make sure everything else was okay. It wasn't long before people started showing up, family was the first to arrive. Beth and Maggie each greeted them warmly. Friends started arriving soon after but Beth had yet to see Harley or Daryl. As the young blonde was about to get her cell from her purse to see if Harley would actually answer Beth heard one of her cousin's ask who the handsome rugged looking man was and if the young woman with him was his sister. With how they were describing the two Beth was certain it was Daryl and Harley. She walked towards the entrance to see the siblings' mid-argument.

"Harley, I'm really glad you could make it." Beth interrupted the two. She knew Maggie would have her head and Harley's if anything were to happen that would make it seem like this night was anything but perfect to the bride-to-be. Beth was also happy to see her best friend.

Harley's hair was down for once instead of its usual messy bun, she wore the blue skater dress that she found when she and Beth went shopping but Harley added white lace details to the hem and sleeves of the dress. Beth let out a snort when she saw that Harley was wearing combat boots. Though the young blonde couldn't help but be slightly jealous of her best friend. Her make-up was done effortlessly, smoky-eyes with a dramatic cat eyeliner that made her blue eyes stand out against her tan skin and the perfect shade of lipstick. Beth always wished she could look as beautiful as Harley. Beth was always told how cute she was or pretty, she knew that she looked young and people always told her to be grateful but when looking at Harley, Beth sometimes wished she could have some of that beauty.

"Sorry I disappeared Bethy." Harley pulled Beth into a hug. "I managed to convince Daryl to stay for a while though, if that's okay."

Beth looked over at Daryl in surprise. He shrugged, his eyes looking around the room as if looking for all the exits. She looked at what he was wearing. Instead of wearing his usual plaid shirt, ink stained jeans, and leather vest, Daryl wore a dark pair of slacks and a nice button up shirt.

"No it's completely fine." Beth smiled. "He's the one who dragged you back here after all."

"I'm gonna go say hi to Glenn." Harley walked off without another word. Beth shook her head, smiling at Harley.

"I never know what to do with that girl." Daryl said quietly. Beth was surprised to hear Daryl speak but then again after hearing Harley talk about her brother the young blonde always knew they were close.

"I agree." Beth said as she saw Daryl crack a small smile. "Come one, let's go get a drink."

Both seemed to have been designated drivers for the night so the two got Coke's to drink. Beth led Daryl over to one of the quieter tables, away from all the madness. She could tell that the man relaxed a little as it got less hectic. He didn't seem as mean or grumpy this time.

"So, you understand how much of a handful Harley can get." Daryl said quietly, he had a slight smirk.

"Yeah, it can get pretty interesting with her around." Beth laughed thinking about all the interesting things Harley's done. "She got so pissed at our landlord once so she spray painted her walls with bright neon colors. I had to threaten her to keep her from going in my room."

Daryl couldn't help but laugh, it was something his sister would do. Beth laughed along with him.

"One time Harley was messing around with a lighter and other stuff she shouldn't have been." Daryl started off the story, it was one of the funniest and by the look in Beth's eyes he knew he had her full attention. "Merle just got home from his job, one of the only times he had one, and caught her off guard. He yelled at her, managed to scare the hell out of her and Harley caught almost everything on fire. Merle tried to put the whole thing out but I don't know how either one managed it but Merle's ass caught on fire, so did some of his hair!"

Beth busted out laughing, Daryl joining in. Beth hadn't met the two sibling's older brother but from all the stories about him she knew that he was someone interesting. Harley was a mixture of both her brothers, Beth knew that for sure. Daryl suddenly went quiet, a thoughtful look on his face. Beth looked at him, her head tilted and her eyes filled with questions. Daryl looked down at his drink.

"Harley always looks up to me." Daryl was quiet. Beth wondered why the sudden change of atmosphere but she felt that maybe it was needed. "She always says she wants to be just like me and our parents yet when she goes pulls shit like this I can't help but yell at her and tell her that she's acting just like Merle."

"How so?" Beth prompted him to go on after he fell silent for a few moments.

"Merle left as soon as he could. He comes and goes as he pleases, he'll be in your life for a few days then gone all of a sudden and you never know when he'll show up again." As Daryl spoke Beth knew he was being vague but she also knew that he must be getting things off his chest so she continued to let him speak without interrupting. "Harley's around a lot more, yeah but she also pulls stupid stunts like this where she'll disappear and you never know when she'll turn up again."

"I understand how frustrating that can be. I've lived with her for five, almost six, years now." Beth explained. "I get worried whenever she doesn't come home or when Harley doesn't answer her phone. Maybe this is her way of dealing with things or this is just her being Harley. I've never talked to her about it and it's obvious you never have either but maybe it's time to. If it bothers you this much then you should say something. She's your sister, she'll understand."

Daryl nodded, his eyes far off but she knew he had listened to what she said. Beth leaned back and continued to drink from her Coke, looking around at the party. She knew that soon she'd have to go and mingle with the guests but for now she was content to sit with the rugged and handsome man.

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