First Impressions

Here's another chapter for all you lovely people!

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

Beth opened the door to her apartment and sighed as she heard the music from Harley's room. Harley had been told countless times to keep her bedroom door closed so that at least Beth wouldn't have to hear Harley's music at such an extreme volume but it seemed that Harley had forgotten her roommate's request. Shaking her head Beth made her way to her friend's door and stood there, waiting for Harley to realize Beth was home. Harley was sitting on her bed; she had a paint brush in her hair to hold it up, unlit cigarette dangling in her mouth, and seemed to be sketching something in one of her many art books. Not wanting to wait any longer Beth took the nearest thing, a shirt that Harley had laying on her night stand next to the door, and threw it at the girl.

"What the hell!?" Harley exclaimed, her eyes torn away from her sketch and to Beth.

"Turn the music down please!" Beth half yelled. Harley rolled her eyes as she got off the bed and turned her speakers down. "Thank you, I felt like I was going to go deaf at any moment."

"Well you still have your hearing so all is good." Harley stuck her tongue out at the blonde. Beth laughed and sat next to Harley, peering over at the girl's sketchbook. There were many tiny drawings, all of them delicate and drawn with care. Beth knew that Harley must be designing a new tattoo but it wasn't for her own skin. Harley's designs were usually bolder and at times new school. One caught Beth's eye, it was a treble and a base clef in the shape of a heart. There was a slight outline of wings, it wasn't bold by any means but subtle. Beth also noticed that instead of the regular two dots that the bass clef had, there was a semi colon.

"Who's this tattoo for?" Beth asked curiously. There was a slight blush underneath Harley's tan skin, her eyes downcast as she refused to look at her friend in the eyes.

"It's supposed to be for you." Harley said quietly. "I just thought it would be something you'd like."

Beth studied the drawing for a moment then grinned. "Well I know you've been trying for years to get some ink on my skin and I think you've finally drawn the perfect thing."

"Really?" Harley's eyes widened, Beth laughed and nodded. "Well then let's go to the shop and get this on you!"

"Let me get changed first, I still smell like a hospital." Beth crinkled her nose. Harley sighed and rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way.

After getting a shower and changing into something more comfortable Harley grabbed Beth's hand and the two raced down the hall. Before Beth could even ask whose car they were taking, Harley jumped into her 2014 Chevy Silverado. Harley had been saving up for some time to buy her own truck and was finally able to buy her own instead of sharing a bike or truck with Daryl. It was sleek and black, Harley had gone out with Daryl while Beth was at work and to say that the blonde was surprised to find the monster parked next to her tiny car would be false. The two arrive at the shop, Harley singing one of her favorite songs at the top of her lungs. This makes Beth smile, it seems that her best friend is happy and that's something that Beth hadn't seen from Harley in a long time.

"Take a seat blondie and I'll get things set up." Harley started sanitizing her station and getting things ready. Beth looks around the room while Harley prepares things for her tattoo. It was a lot like Daryl's room but Harley's had more of her own drawings pinned up and there were pictures of just Daryl and Harley rather than the three siblings. Beth also saw pictures of Harley's parents as well.

"How's your dad doing?" Beth asked. Harley shrugged and turned on her machine to test it, she then placed the ink and her other supplies where she needed them.

"Okay I guess, I talked to him the other day and he seems to be doing really well. He wants to get back into tattooing it seems." Harley said as she made sure her gloves were on and she had everything on right. "Now where do you want this?"

"How about my shoulder?" Beth suggested, Harley nodded and Beth shrugged her shirt off so that Harley could put the stencil where she thought would look best.

"Okay, I want to see if you like it where I put it. If not then we can always move it but only maybe a couple more times." Harley explained as she used the mirrors in her room to show Beth the placement. Beth loved where Harley had put her tattoo so she gave her best friend the okay to start. "Just keep breathing and relax, if you need a break then tell me."

Beth nodded and listened to the sound of Harley's machine. The young blonde was shocked at first, she thought it would be a lot more painful but figured with the amount of tattoos Harley had it couldn't be too excruciating. While Harley was working on the tattoo she explained all the things that she'd be doing and how Beth should take care of it when she was done. It helped Beth keep her mind off of the pain. In no time Harley was adding the last finishing touches and cleaning it up.

"What do you think?" Harley asked, Beth could tell that she was nervous about her work but as soon as Beth got a look at the tattoo which would now be on her skin forever, the young blonde knew she would never regret her decision. Harley had kept it so simple and elegant, Beth loved it.

"You did such a great job." Beth smiled widely, Harley beamed and gently put some gauze on the tattoo. All of a sudden Harley's door burst open and Daryl staggered in. He looked like hell and was holding his arm. Both girls looked at him in shock as he sat down on the couch Harley had in there.

"What the hell brother bear?" Harley asked. This wasn't the first time she had seen her brother roughed up like this but it was typically when their older brother was in town and Harley hoped to the God above if there was one that wasn't the case.

"Merle's in town, he asked me to come pick him up and while I was trying to get his ass out of the bar he was at some jackass tried to start a knife fight." Daryl explained in a low voice. Beth could feel Harley stiffen behind her. Without a word Harley left the room and came back with a large first aid kit.

"I'm sure Beth can fix you up." Harley's voice was quiet, there was no emotion behind it and Beth knew that she was closing herself off to everyone. "Tell Merle that he ain't allowed around my apartment and I will kick his ass out if I see him there. Beth if you have any questions call me, I have no clue where I'm going but who gives a fuck."

Beth sighed as Harley slammed the door to her room, Harley had been doing so much better lately but now it seemed like almost anything would set her off. Turning her attention to Daryl, Beth opened the first aid kit to find the alcohol wipes and some bandages. Moving her chair so that she was facing the wounded man she could see that it had at least stopped bleeding and from what Beth could tell the wound wouldn't need stiches.

"You're gonna need to remove that over-shirt of yours." Beth said as she made sure she had everything to clean and bandage the cut. Daryl didn't make a move, he only glared at her as if daring Beth to try anything. "Look, I've known your sister for almost six years. She's told me all about what she's been through so I'm guessing that you've been through some of the same hell that Harley's been in. I don't treat Harley any different than my sister or my friends and I can guarantee that I won't treat you differently. Besides, you have a tank top underneath."

Daryl had forgotten about the tank top underneath his shirt, he felt like an ass for glaring at the girl and so while he slowly took the shirt off Daryl mumbled an apology. Once Daryl had the shirt off Beth set to work on cleaning the wound.

"You know, I'm not gonna lecture you but it seems that Harley and you seriously need to work on some things" Beth murmured as she wiped the blood away from Daryl's arm. Daryl just looked at Beth, confusion evident on his face. "From what I understand you tell her she's acting like Merle and that she needs to get her act together, that she can't go off anymore. She told me that you said one day you wouldn't be at her beck and call all the time. Harley talked about how you and she argued about how she would one day go down the same road as Merle and you didn't want that for her, that you try your best to help your older brother out but I don't see how."

"What the hell do you mean?" Daryl asked as Beth put some Neosporin on his cut. Beth paused and thought about it.

"You picked him up from a bar Daryl." Beth sighed as she put his bandage on. "You may think that you're trying to help Merle but nothing is helping him. Merle has chosen to use drugs, drink until he's blacked out and can't remember anything. He relies on you to be his lap dog while you've told Harley that if she ever starts doing those things she can forget it. The day you start doing things for yourself and stop doing whatever Merle wants you to do then that'll be the day he'll realize how much he's dug himself a grave and your relationship with Harley will improve."

"How do you know for sure?" Daryl asked, his startling blue eyes filled with uncertainty. Beth gave him a sad smile and without thought rubbed the long scar on her left wrist.

"I know from experience." Beth said simply. Daryl stared at her for a while, unsure what to say. Beth busied herself with cleaning up, she had found a pack of Tylenol in the kit so she handed them to Daryl. He took them and swallowed them dry.

"Would you like to go out to lunch?" Daryl asked, shocking both Beth and himself. He hadn't expected to ask her but wanted to continue talking to her.

"Sure." Beth smiled. This was a different side of Daryl that she was used to seeing, except for the engagement party.

"Carol works at this pub, well it's supposed to be like one from England, until her and Jacqui get all the paperwork settled to take over the bookstore." Daryl explained as he led Beth out of the shop and to his own truck. It was similar to Harley's only a different color and year. "They have cheap food and it's pretty good."

"That sounds great." Beth said smiling. Daryl found that he liked her smile, Beth's face seemed to light up and her blue eyes seemed to sparkle. He shook his head, trying to shake those thoughts out of his head.

The drive to the pub was quiet but neither seemed to mind. It was only a short drive to the restaurant and soon they were seated and looking over the menu. Daryl already knew what he wanted but Beth took some time to look over and see what she wanted. Daryl smiled as Carol came over to take their order.

"Hey Daryl, Beth." Carol smiled warmly at the two. "How are things going?"

"It's going great." Daryl said, though he really thought things were slightly off. "I'll have the usual."

"Alright, coming right up." Carol took the menu from Daryl. "By the way, can you see if Harley can watch Sophia this weekend?"

"I'll see what I can do." Daryl replied. Carol thanked him then took Beth's order. It was quiet for a while, both unsure what to say.

"I'm sure you're wondering what I was talking about back at the shop." Beth finally spoke up.

"It ain't none of my business, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Daryl said.

"I want to tell you." Beth figured it would help him out. "When Shawn had his accident we weren't sure if he'd even make it. He was in a coma for a really long time and I guess Maggie and I dealt with it differently. Maggie started drinking and would go on binges, Glenn tried to help her and so did I. The both of us were trying to help keep her together while I was helping out with the farm, taking over both Maggie and Shawn's responsibilities. Daddy and Mama didn't know, Glenn and I did a good job of hiding it from them."

Beth sighed and took a moment to take a drink, the two realized that Carol had come by and sat their plates down. Daryl and Beth dug into their meals, both hadn't realized how hungry they were.

"Maggie kept drinking and soon it got too much for me." Beth continued. She lifted the bracelet away that she always wore on her left wrist. "I thought it would be best if I ended my life. Maggie was actually the one who found me and had to get Harley to break down the door."

"So it was then she realized how much damage she was causing?" Daryl asked. Given that it seemed like their relationship was a lot better, he hoped so.

"Yeah, that's what I'm trying to get at Daryl. I know how you feel and I also know how Harley feels. Harley's like a sister to me, I don't want to see her hurting." Beth took another bite, thinking about how much their relationship had grown. "Harley has matured a lot but she's still got a lot of healing to do from when you guys were on the streets and before Donna and Charles adopted you."

Daryl nodded, deep in thought. It stung when Beth brought up his ma, well at least the only person whoever acted like a mother to Daryl. Her death was still fresh in his mind and he thought about her often. Donna and Charles Thompson had come across Daryl and Harley when the two were still out on the streets, Daryl was doing his best to take care of his younger sister but that week she had gotten sick. No matter what he tried she wouldn't get better, it was a time during Daryl's life when he was scared he would lose Harley. Donna and Charles had found the Dixon siblings just in time, after getting Harley cared for Donna immediately found a soft spot for the two and offered a place in her home.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do just yet but I don't want to lose Harley." Daryl looked at Beth and was once again lost in how bright everything about her seemed to be. Beth smiled softly at Daryl, which if he was being honest knocked his breath away, and placed a hand on his arm.

"Daryl, I know Harley Belle and I can tell you that you will not lose her as long as you try." Beth's eyes sparked with determination.

Daryl decided then that he wanted to see that soft smile more often and the sparks in her eyes. He wanted to get to know this bright light more, there was something about her that seemed to draw him in. If he kept seeing those smiles he'd be happy, especially if they were for him.

I'm back at my house, I'm done with school, and so that means I'll hopefully be able to update more often! Yay! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter cause I enjoyed writing it. As always I'd love to hear what you guys think. Until next time lovelies!