A/N: Thank you, you fantastical readers! I am so sorry for the delay in all my stories over the last couple of weeks. It has been a difficult time recently, but hopefully that is me back.
The support this story has received so far has been mind blowing and so appreciated. I'm really not the most confident writer, and feel very self-conscious about sharing my stories, but the comments/alerts/favourites from you guys really are an encouragement :-)
PLEASE NOTE: In this chapter there is a derogatory term directed at Beth. I hope no offence is taken. I just want to show that not everyone treats people with disabilities like every other normal person, and that things like this happen.
Thank you to the amazing Nicole (Scifigirl22) for being the wonderful beta that you are xoxoxo
And on a side note...It didn't happen. BETHYL ON!
...
Chapter Five
The dream of sleeping till Christmas had been short lived. Too short, in Daryl's opinion. After a surprisingly nice morning with Beth, he had practically crawled into bed with hopes of catching a few months of hibernation before having to face the real world once again. That was until his stomach discovered it's hidden talent of perfectly imitating the mating calls of an Orca. Forced awake, Daryl had lingered in his cocoon of bedsheets praying that he had somehow developed telekinetic powers that would bring him food, but alas, it had been futile. In the end, hauling himself out his nest at 7pm had been the only option.
When he found himself sitting in his Miss Pac Man boxers watching reruns of Jerry Springer while he ate Lucky Charms out the box, Daryl was pretty convinced that he had hit a new low. Shovelling a handful of his 'dinner' into his mouth, he couldn't stop the roll of his eyes as he watched the cheated husband attempt to deck his wife's lover with the infamous chair.
"Wouldn't even try it, man..." He mumbled through his dry cereal as the scrawny cheater raised his fists for a fight "The guy's the size of Shrek. You'll be eatin' through a straw for a month..." The crowd went ballistic as said scrawny cheater was knocked to the floor, Daryl unable to contain the roll of the eyes "...Well, hope you have dental insurance."
Fearing that his brain was in danger of dying out, Daryl wasted no time in turning the TV off. I need to get a life...With an arch of the back and a loud yawn, he stuffed another handful of Lucky Charms into his mouth before pulling himself to his feet, the thought of Kung Pao Chicken seeming more appetising. But no sooner had he found his footing before a gentle knock sounded at his door.
"Just a sec!" He called, jogging to his room and pulling his holey jeans on.
Grunting, Daryl fought with his fly as he hurried back to the door, another soft knock ringing out. With a muttered 'Hold on', he fixed his jeans before glancing out the peep hole, a small smile tugging at his lips when he saw the familiar head of wild curls. Memories of home-made lasagna brought a rumble to his stomach. Oh, please have dinner...Throwing the door open, Daryl couldn't help but feel a small burst of despair at the sight of Beth's empty hands.
"Daryl Dixon..." She began with her infamous smile as she crossed her arms over her chest "As much as I could get used to you answerin' the door shirtless, and believe me, I could get used to it, I really don't think it's good for your health..." Glancing him up and down, Daryl could feel the heat in his cheeks rise "I mean, have you seen you!? Adonis himself would take one look at you and end up runnin' to the gym for a workout..." With a soft chuckle, he rolled his eyes "Somethin' tells me that it's not too safe makin' Greek gods feel insecure about themselves, Daryl. That, and I'm almost certain that not everyone you answer the door to will have as much self control as I do."
With her lips pursed, she gazed up at him, a mix of playfulness and suggestiveness dancing behind her big blue eyes. Daryl struggled to hold back his bubbling laughter. In his opinion, the girl was in desperate need of getting those big blue eyes checked. Still, he couldn't help but feel the small boost to his ego. With a brow raised, and a small smirk tugging at his lips, he leaned up against the door frame.
"Is that so?" He asked
"Oh, absolutely." She nodded, a hand coming to rest on her chest "I'm only thinkin' of you in all of this. It's my duty to protect the few men in my life who could quite possibly be carved from marble."
Unable to stop the laughter bursting forth, Daryl shook his head, Beth's own giggle ringing out.
"Well, thank you for your concern, Beth." He chuckled, glancing down at her "What can I do for you?"
Sitting up a little straighter, she clapped her hands excitedly, her growing smile causing a faint feeling of dread to rise up in him.
"I'm so glad you asked, Daryl Dixon!" She cried in happiness "For tonight, we are goin' on an adventure unlike any other! Tonight, we are goin' dancin'!"
Feeling his smile drop, Daryl stepped back. Looking at her, he should have known that she was up to something. She was far too dressed up in her black lace, fit and flare dress (which Daryl couldn't deny looked nice on her) to only be popping round for a simple visit.
"Oh, no we're not." Was his retort as he shook his head "No way. I don't dance. I'm callin' in Chinese and watchin' Die Hard."
"Oh, C'mon Daryl!" She beamed wide eyed "It'll be fun! We can even pick up some take out on the way home."
"Nu-uh." He smirked, crossing his arms defiantly over his chest "It's goin' to take a lot more than you battin' those lashes of yours to get me out this house tonight."
With a muffled 'hmm', Beth let out a soft sigh; her brows knitted together as she tapped her top lip in deep concentration. The mischievousness burning in her eyes should have been enough in itself to send Daryl into a panic.
"...Not goin' to get you out the house, huh?" She questioned, her hands coming to grip the wheels to her chair "Ok, just close the door over for a second, will you?"
"What?" Daryl replied in confusion "Beth, what the hell are yo-"
"Just close the door!" She smiled, cutting him off.
With a shrug of the shoulder, Daryl complied, closing the door over on the young girl before crossing his arms once again. Feeling his own smile tug at his lips, Daryl stared at the floor as he waited for further instructions; but after a few minutes of nothing but silence, he began to wonder if she had taken off.
"Beth..." He called out at the door "You still there?"
But instead of the cheerful chirp that he was expecting to hear, an ear piercing screech rang out from all around him. Startled, Daryl covered his ears before throwing the door open in confusion. Peering into the hallway, he caught sight of the bubbly blonde sitting by the stairwell with a beaming grin, her hand grasping firmly at the big red leaver on the wall.
"Beth, what the hell!?" He cried out over the noise.
"Fire alarm!" She called back, pointing to the leaver "Now you have to leave!"
Wide eyed, Daryl stalked up to her, her smile never faltering.
"Are you crazy!?" He stuttered out as the ringing continued "Beth, you can't just go around pullin' fire alarms! It's illegal!"
"Oh, do not start with me about legalities Mr. I just stole a pink Prius!" Came her cheerful reply "Now go put a shirt on. The clubs don't take too kindly to half naked men dancin' about...Well some do, but not this one."
With a final glance at the pulled leaver, Daryl shook his head before heaving a sigh, shooting Beth a small smirk and heading back down the hall to his apartment.
"Fuckin' evil genius."
…
The club was alive with the sound of music...and idiots, and morons...in fact, Daryl was convinced that Satan had rounded up all the dickweed's that Hell had accumulated over the centuries before spitting them back out into the one place. That place being Club Terminus. After spending 20 minutes in the cold, freezing his ass off, Daryl had almost wept with joy as they were invited into the warmth. That was until he set his sights upon the commotion before him. The scantly clad women, the alcohol induced 'Frat Boys', and the less than subtle gawks that security felt the need to shoot his way. Each were enough to have him slinking back towards the door.
"Daryl Dixon, smile!" Beth giggled, grabbing hold of his duffel before he shot off "I've seen happier lookin' people in a Saw movie!"
With a scowl that could have put a five year old to shame, Daryl huffed out an annoyed growl before glaring back at the tank of a bouncer who hadn't dropped his gaze since his arrival. Either he thinks I'm goin' to shank someone, or I look like the kind of person who walks into a club with a balloon full of uppers stuffed up their ass...
"You got me out the house." He mumbled through gritted teeth, his hands buried deep into his pockets as Beth tugged him back to her side "It don't mean I have to enjoy it."
Head flung back, her musical giggle burst forth.
"Oh, Daryl!" She playfully scoffed "Remove the tampon and pop a Prozac, will you!? You'll have a fantastically wonderful time, I promise." Feeling the corner of his lips tug upwards, Daryl rolled his eyes before letting his own laughter escape "Now come dance with me!"
Watching Beth wheel herself out into the crowd, Daryl felt his feet stick firmly to the ground. He didn't dance drunk, so he sure as hell wasn't going to start when he was sober. Spinning round, Beth smiled before waving him over to join her; but with a blush creeping up his cheeks, he quickly declined; a swift shake of the head and a mouthed 'No way in hell' letting her know he wasn't moving.
"Suit yourself then you big baby!" She laughed over the music, her smile threatening to split her face in two as she twirled her chair before letting out a joyous whoop.
Feeling his body relax, Daryl could only roll his eyes before letting his smirk creep in. As he watched Beth, he quickly found out her happiness was contagious, that same small smirk of his slowly turning into a full blown smile. Making his way over to the bar, his eyes never leaving her, he took a perch on one of the stools to watch. She looked so free as she spun around, her hands turning the wheels expertly to the beat of the music. Round and round, zigzagging in and out of the crowds, she moved with such grace; something Daryl had been ignorant in believing was even possible.
With the infamous brilliant smile, she glanced over her shoulder at him once again before casting him a wave, another hopeful request for him to step out. But like before, Daryl declined, choosing instead to lean back against the bar. He was finding that he would much rather watch her anyway. For ten minutes his eyes stayed glued on her, her arms never tiring from the workout.
It wasn't until a new song began that Daryl noticed a young couple dancing off to the side of Beth; the young woman nudging her boyfriend in her direction. A friendly smile set in place, he gave the girl a nod and kiss on the cheek before turning and tapping Beth on the shoulder, her golden curls bouncing as she eagerly agreed to whatever he had asked her. Confused, Daryl watched as the boy took Beth's hand before turning her in a circle to lead her in a dance. Chancing a glance at the girlfriend, Daryl was stunned to see that she was happily marching towards him, a fiery look swimming behind her dark eyes.
"You stupid, Boy?" She playfully smirked while pulling herself up onto the stool next to him.
"I'm sorry, what?" Daryl scoffed, his brows knitted together as he looked over his shoulder "You talkin' to me?"
"Yeah, I'm talkin' to you. I'm lookin' at you." She sassed, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder "I'm askin' you if you're stupid." Glancing over at Beth and her boyfriend, she smiled "Cute girl like that askin' you to dance with her and you say no? What's the hell's the matter with you!?"
Following the girl's gaze, Daryl couldn't help but smile as Beth burst into a fit of giggles at the boy's bad dancing; both attempting their hand at The Cabbage Patch.
"Uh...I don't dance." He finally answered, turning back to the girl.
"Honey..." She began, a hand flying to her hip "Word of advice. When it comes to your girl, you do everything, 'k?"
Feeling his blush reappear, Daryl opened his mouth to correct the girl; but before he could draw his attention away from Beth to do so, he saw her chair lightly bumped a woman dancing behind her. Spine straightening and with fury in her eyes, the woman quickly turned, not thinking twice before pushing the boy out of her way and charging at Beth.
"What the fuck!?" Daryl snarled before quickly stepping down from the stool, the young girl following closely behind.
Pushing his way through the crowd, Daryl never stopped until he caught Beth's eye; the girl storming to her boyfriend's side.
"What do you think you're doin'!?" The angry woman screamed down at Beth, her brown hair flying in all directions as she squared the young girl up.
"I'm dancin'." Beth responded sweetly, her smile never dropping as she tucked some hair behind her ears "I'm really sorry for bumpin' you there. Sometimes the wheel's have a mind of their own."
Glancing at her friends, the woman burst into a fit of laughter, her cronies following along in her actions. Before that moment, Daryl could safely say that he had never once had the desire to see a woman in pain as much as he did then. Hope Beth runs you over, you dumb bitch! Jaw clenched and fist tightening with rage, he glared at the woman, his existence seeming to go completely unnoticed by her and her friends.
"Dancin'?" She finally scoffed through her laughter; Beth's kind smile never falling "That's what you call that!?" Eyeing the chair up and down, all amusement left the woman's eyes, instead disgust taking over "That's not dancin'."
Daryl could hardly contain the growl that was rumbling in his chest when he heard that.
"Oh hell no!" The girl from the bar erupted, her hands flying to her ears "Noah, hold my earrings! Hold my earrings, Baby! I'mma tear this bitch a new asshole!"
Wide eyed, Noah gripped the top of his girlfriend's shoulders before she could lunge at the offensive group before them.
"Ebony..." He drawled out calmly, the girl's eyes alive with anger "Remember what we talked about? Inside voice?"
But before Ebony could open her mouth to argue back, she was stopped dead by Beth's joyful laughter spilling out. Feeling his own confusion returning, Daryl glanced down at the pretty blonde, peace written in her eyes as she stared back at the venomous woman.
"Of course it's dancin'..." She smiled, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in to share her precious secret "...What do you think I'm doin' on the inside?"
Unable to form any words, The woman's eyes narrowed to slits, her own snarl threatening to burst forth as she took a step closer to Beth. Daryl would have liked to think that the woman had enough decency in her to leave Beth unharmed, but as he saw her knuckles whitening; her nostrils flaring; he was quickly becoming more and more uncertain. With panic building up within him, he stepped closer to his neighbour, a hand grasping firmly at the handle of her chair. You touch her, and I swear...But before his mind could even finish with it's thought, one of the woman's friend's tugged her back by the elbow.
"Dawn, just leave it." She hissed, glancing over her shoulder at the bouncers who had taken a sudden interest in the group "Leave the cripple with her bodyguards, it's not worth it."
"I'm sorry, what did you just say!?" Daryl boomed, coming round in front of Beth as the bouncers made their approach "What did you just call her!?"
"Daryl..." Beth called out, her small hand tugging at his "Daryl, leave it. It's ok, really."
"No!" Was his boomed reply as he shook himself free "That ain't right, Beth!"
As Noah came round to tug Daryl back, the bouncers pushed their way through into their circle, their eyes boring into Daryl as he glared the group of girls down.
"Everythin' alright here?" One of the burly men asked.
Drawing her attention away from Beth, Dawn turned to the bouncer, the anger that danced in her eyes quickly fading away to a mocking fear.
"No, everything's not alright." She replied, her voice cracking as she forced tears "She rammed me! She rammed right into the back of me, and all I was tryin' to do was dance."
In disbelief, Daryl felt his jaw drop, his arms falling limply to his sides as the bouncers ate up every word that spilled out of her mouth.
"Bullshit!" Was his exclamation, his eyes wide with annoyance.
"Sir..." The other tank began, his brows knitted together in anger "I suggest you and your friends leave before we have any trouble here."
With a small smirk tugging at her lips, Dawn shot him a hidden wink. Until that moment, Daryl didn't think it was possible for his anger could get any worse. Opening his mouth to argue back with the bouncer, he was stopped by Beth's gentle tug on his hand once again.
"Daryl, it really is ok." She reiterated, her smile hiding the sadness he suspected she must have been feeling "I'm gettin' kinda hungry anyway. Why don't we go and get that Chinese."
Heaving a sigh, he replied with a broken nod; Beth's soft smile calming slightly. Glancing back at the group of girls one final time, Daryl stormed passed; Noah and Ebony (who quite gracefully shot a one-fingered salute in their direction) following closely by. Lingering behind, Beth turned her attention back to Dawn, the woman's distaste still clearly evident.
"It's been a pleasure." Beth chirped, her hands coming to grip on her wheels "I hope you all have a fantastically awesome evenin' filled with so much majestic wonder that you have to stop and ponder the meanin' of life...that, and I hope Karma is kind to you and you don't end the evenin' with a dose of chronic diarrhoea." Waving her hand dramatically, Beth dipped her head in a mock bow "So with that, I bid you adieu."
Not waiting for a response, Beth about turned and made for the exit, a proud smile tugging at her lips as she wheeled herself through the crowd. Finding Daryl standing by the door waiting for her, her smile grew, a hint of wonder sparkling in his curious blue eyes.
"What did you say to them?" He asked, popping a cigarette into his mouth as he held the door open for her.
"Oh, nothin' really." Beth smiled with a shrug "Just wished them a good night."
Following her out into the cool night, Daryl fought with his lighter; a dirty cloud of smoke eventually filling the air as Noah and Ebony came into view. The anger that he still felt bubbling away within him had clearly rubbed off on the fiery girl who stormed up to them, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Girl, I hope you knocked that dumb bitch over on the way out!" Ebony called as she glared at the building before her, the loud music becoming more of a muffled noise.
"Are you kiddin'!?" Beth smiled, running her hands along her wheels "And dent these bad boys!? No chance!"
Daryl couldn't help but smile at her cheeky grin, the small wink she shot in Ebony's direction lightening the mood a little. Trying (and failing) to hold her own chuckle back, Ebony rolled her eyes before wrapping an arm around Noah's waist, her head finding solace against his shoulder.
"In seriousness though, you ok?" She gently asked, the anger quickly fading from her voice.
"I'm great. Honestly." Beth smiled warmly, her arms coming to wrap round her small body "...It's happened before, and I'm pretty sure it'll happen again...It'll take a lot more than some silly girls actin' like that to ruin my night."
Lips tugging into a small smile, Noah nodded, his grip on Ebony's shoulder tightening as Daryl shrugged his jacket off and handed it over to a shivering Beth. With a gracious smile, she took it; not arguing this time as she laid it over her legs.
"Well, as long as you're ok." Came Noah's quiet response, a tiredness in his eyes as he glanced at Ebony "We best be goin' before your dad comes huntin' me down."
Nodding in agreement, she sighed.
"Yeah, ok." She mumbled, turning to Beth "Beth, girl, it was great meetin' you. I hope the rest of your night goes more accordin' to plan." With a raised brow, Ebony turned to Daryl, the heat in his cheeks rising as she pursed her lips in an effort to hide her growing grin "And, Daryl...Remember what I told you..."
Clearing his throat, he nodded, a muffled 'yeah, yeah' bursting forth as he quickly took a long draw from his burning cigarette. Bidding her farewells, Beth waved them off, refusing to stop until they had vanished round the corner. With a small sigh escaping past her lips, she turned back to face her rugged neighbour.
"So, Daryl Dixon..." She chirped, her blue eyes still bright with happiness "What're we doin' now, then?"
Stubbing the remainder of his cigarette out, Daryl couldn't stop himself from smiling, the excitement in her eyes reminding him of a child at Christmas.
"Uh...why don't we take a walk in the park?" He suggested, nervous that he had maybe caused offence "Sound adventurous enough for you?"
Smiling, she tucked a curl behind her ear, her big eyes sparkling as she stared up at him.
"Sounds perfect."
…
Daryl was quickly finding that the sound of Beth's laughter was something he was very happy to get used to. As they made their way through Piedmont Park, the plastic bag containing their dinner swinging gently in his hand, her laughter rang out for what felt like the thousandth time. It reminded him of music. Sweet melodic music that brought him back to a time when he was a kid. To a time when he was innocent. As she laughed at a story from his childhood, one that she had managed to drag out of him, she sent a quickening to his heart. For the first time in his life he was finding that when Beth laughed at something he said, she was laughing from joy. The genuine desire she had to get to know him continued to baffle him; but no sooner had one of her questions been answered before she was asking another and another...
"Ok, the best birthday party you've ever had." She smiled, slowly wheeling herself alongside him "What was it like?"
"Ain't never had a birthday party." Daryl replied with a small shrug "In my family a birthday was always just another day."
With her smile falling she gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"You've never had a birthday party!?" She asked softly, sadness laced in her voice "Oh, Daryl Dixon, that's horrible."
"Ah, not really." He smirked, looking down at her "Can't miss what you've never had."
Beth knew not to push the subject any further, his eyes quickly moving away from hers to skim across the still water of Lake Clara Meer. Leading the way along the old bridge that crossed the waters, Daryl felt Beth's eyes on him as he came to a stop by the beautiful, white pillared gazebo. He didn't mind her staring as he leaned against the railing of the bridge, a small smile spreading across his rugged features as he gazed out at the scenery before him. Coming to a stop next to him, Beth followed him in staring out at the lake; the moonlight casting down serving as their night light.
"So what's your next question?" He smirked, turning to look at her.
Giggling into the stillness, Beth rested her hands on the railing, her eyes never drifting away from the waters before her.
"How about a request instead of a question?" Was her reply, drawing her attention away to look up at him.
Daryl didn't waste much time pondering on her words before nodding in agreement.
"Ok." He said, turning round to lean his back against the railing "What's the request?"
"Tell me somethin' no one else knows about you."
He had been caught off guard by that. Something no one else knew? Shit. Looking towards the gazebo, Daryl sighed, a small blush creeping up his cheeks as she stared up at him, waiting for his confession.
"This place..." He began, clearing his throat as he shifted from foot to foot "This place is my favourite place in the whole world. Don't really know why, probably cause it's quiet. Kinda peaceful." Looking down at her smiling face, he felt himself relax "Feel like I can be anyone I want to be when I'm here, y'know? I don't need to worry about Merle and Martinez batterin' down my door, usherin' me out to do another job. Here, I can just sit and..."
Glancing down at the young girl, Daryl stopped himself from carrying on with his open rambling; an embarrassment washing over him as she smiled up at him. Clearing his throat once again, he reached up and ran a hand through his short hair, a shaky chuckle rumbling deep from within his chest. Noticing his sudden discomfort from his admission, Beth chose at that moment to look to the gazebo, the small bridge leading off to it calling her.
With her own laugh ringing out, she wheeled herself over to the narrow bridge; crossing it until she sat in the middle of the stone haven. Reaching into the plastic bag to pull out his container, Daryl followed, smiling as he watched her stare up at the ceiling before perching himself on the wall of the gazebo and digging into his dinner.
"This place is beautiful." Beth called out, a sudden excitement in her voice.
Wide eyed she turned herself to face him, her laughter bursting forth louder than ever as she caught him (less than eloquently) stuffing a spring roll into his mouth, a lone bean sprout falling into the scruff on his chin.
"Very cute." She giggled.
"Shut up." He smirked, picking the bean sprout off and throwing it into the water.
Shovelling another roll into his mouth, Daryl watched as Beth began to wheel herself round the gazebo, her smile growing with each pillar she passed.
"You know..." She chimed in "It's a lot more quiet in here than it was in that club. Why don't you dance with me here?"
Dropping his food back into the container, Daryl wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before using his jeans as a napkin for his fingers.
"Beth." He chuckled, crossing his feet "Don't matter if we're the last two people on the planet. I don't dance."
Coming to a stop in front of him, Beth crossed her arms over her chest; Daryl's coat still tucked snugly round her legs.
"And if memory serves correct." She sassed with a quirked brow "You also told me you weren't leavin' the house tonight,and look how that turned out for you."
"Yeah, but there was a difference there." He smirked, picking his spring roll back up "I was ignorant to the evilness that was hidden in you."
Laughing, Beth rolled her eyes before running a hand through her wild curls; her fingers playing in amongst the roots of her hair.
"Fine then." She replied before sticking her tongue out at him, earning another small chuckle from Daryl "But I must warn you, Daryl Dixon..." She carried on "Not a lot of people know this about me, but I do have some psychic abilities."
"Oh, is that right?" He asked through a mouthful of veg.
"Yup." She nodded, popping the 'p' "And I can tell you, that one day, you'll dance with me in here. Just you wait and see."
"Yeah yeah." Daryl smiled, rolling his eyes as he held out his last spring roll to her "We will see. Here, you have this."
Hand flying to her chest, Beth gasped before she wheeled herself towards his outstretched offering. She had her own meal in the bag, but still took his gift with favour.
"Oh, Daryl Dixon!" She exclaimed, reaching in and pulling out the veg stuffed parcel "You're givin' me your last spring roll! How chivalrous of you! My take out wieldin' hero!" Smiling at his amusement, Beth held the food to her lips before carrying on "Y'know what?"
"What?" He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against one of the pillars.
"My psychic powers are tinglin' again."
"Really?" He chuckled, her exaggerated nod causing his smile to grow "And what're they tellin' you this time?"
"They're tellin' me..." She began, looking down at the spring roll "That this... is the start of a beautiful friendship
…
A/N: Well I have literally been working on this chapter for a whole month guys. It's been a hard month. I lost an old friend, and nearly lost my beloved dad only a few days ago, and on top of it all my computer corrupted the file and deleted half the chapter. I so wanted to give up at times, but then I stopped to think about this story and thought WWBD? What Would Beth Do? Lol. She'd keep going of course! And would probably kick my butt into gear. So after the long wait, I hope you enjoyed that chapter. After the MSF, I wanted something nice and sweet in here. I hope I delivered :o)
Please review and let me know what you all though.
And also, I will still be continuing on with all my Bethyl stories. The ship never sinks unless we let it. I also have a few light hearted Bethyl stories in the works, so please keep an eye out ;o)