"Daryl, do you think you have enough blankets?" Beth asked as they walked toward the door to the room that was now his, at least for a little while.
"Yeah, I should be fine. Ya'll don't have to go all out for me. I have made do with a lot less. My tent outside woulda been fine" he replied, his voice going quiet.
"Nonsense Daryl, you are one of us now. What's ours is now yours, so just accept it" she said with a sweet smile that caused a flush to appear on the tips of his ears and his neck.
"Um…..thanks Beth" Daryl mumbled out. He was unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of goodness, and this girl in front of him, her whole family but Beth especially just exuded goodness. He still was unsure of how to handle all of it. But Beth, being the observant person she was could see it and just smiled softly at him again and leaned up toward him.
"Good night Daryl. Let me know if you need anything" she said as she softly kissed his cheek. As she placed herself back on her feet, she swapped her arms around his waist.
"Thank you again Daryl, for everything" she breathed out and before he had a chance to even think of moving his arms around her, she was down the hall and closing the door that he assumed was to her bedroom. He stood there, watching her door for moment, placing his hand on the spot that still burned on his cheek from her kiss until the voice in his head, the voice that sounded so much like Merle broke him out of his trance.
"Get movin' little brother. You gunna turn into a sap on me cuz of a pretty blonde"
Daryl shook his head, trying to rid himself of his brother's voice and headed toward his room. As he laid his head on the pillow, he realized that this was the first real bed he had slept on in a long time. He had never been thankful for anything before, but right at that moment he was thankful for the friendship of a petite blonde with beautiful blue eyes.
Beth tossed and turned in her bed, trying to get comfortable. She didn't want to admit what was wrong. She was in her own bed, she should be able to fall asleep. But try as she might, she could not do it. She didn't want to be one of those girls that depended on a man, but she knew that over the past few weeks she had grown used to having Daryl beside her as she slept. And even though he was only a few doors down, that it was too far. She didn't want to be attached like that, but they had developed a closeness, a bond, a friendship. She didn't know how to describe it any other way but that. Of course she found him attractive, any woman with eyes would agree with that, but it was more than that. Their friendship, even though it was only a few weeks old, meant more to her than any other friendship she ever had.
She sighed as she turned to lay on her back, slamming her fists into her bed. It was no use, she was not getting any sleep unless she was beside him. But would he want her beside him? Would she be overstepping the bonds of their friendship? Of course before they slept close, they had too for survival. But now they were safe, or safer. They didn't have to sleep together to stay warm, or to stay protected. Would he call her crazy and kick her out?
"Auugghh" she screamed into her pillow and then threw it to the side of her as she got out of bed. After she adjusted her tank top and shorts, she slipped on her favorite bunny slippers and quietly opened her bedroom door. She didn't want her Daddy to see her sneaking out of her room, even though she was over age, she knew he still would not like it, even if she and Daryl were just friends.
She took a deep breath and softly knocked on his door, silently praying that he wasn't already asleep and would not kick her out. After a few seconds, she heard footsteps and then the door slowly opened. As his eyes adjusted, she saw them soften when he realized it as her.
"Beth, what's wrong?" He growled out, his voice low and deep
"I couldn't sleep" she said quietly and instantly it seemed to Beth that he knew exactly what she wanted as he pushed the door open and ushered her in. He wasn't going to tell her, but he wasn't able to sleep without her either. He hated it, he used to be able to sleep anywhere, but now he needed this slip of a girl near him to feel comfortable.
"Get in, I want the right side" he growled out, but with a small smirk that Beth could see from the moonlight coming thru the window. She smiled back at him and walked over to the other side of the bed. As she did, he tried really hard to not notice how short her shorts were, how tight her tank top was, or how it rode up just a little to show off a patch of skin that looked shimmery in the moonlight. No, he was not looking at her at all as he moved and laid himself down on the side of the bed.
"Yeah you were little brother, don't blame ya either" Merle's voice cackled as he felt Beth slide into her side of the bed.
"Thank you Daryl. I guess I just got used to having you close. You make me feel safe" she said the last part really softly, like it was a secret she was keeping. He was quiet for a few moments, long enough for Beth to think maybe she made a mistake saying anything. Then she felt him take her hand, twine their fingers together and replied.
"Me too Beth"