First Date at the Safe Zone

The Alexandria Safe Zone wasn't huge, but it certainly wasn't small, either. When he first arrived, Daryl Dixon hadn't bothered to explore it much. He didn't care to see it – didn't care to meet new people, to integrate, to try. Beth was gone and with her had gone his entire livelihood.

But then he'd found her – or Aaron had. Daryl had gotten the flu that day of all days. But he would remember the moment forever. He would remember the shouting coming from the streets. He would remember how Carl (who was playing cards with Daryl in the bedroom to keep him company while he was sick) stood up and told him to wait here as he looked out the window. He would remember Carl's sharp intake of breath as he saw what was happening outside. He would remember the way Carl turned back to him, eyes as round as dinner plates, a smile stretching across his face. "We have to go outside, now."

He would remember his confusion, he would remember how difficult it was to get down the stairs – his body had been achy, the flu had done a number on him. Carl had supported him the whole way – but the boy was clearly anxious to get outside. Anxious to show him something.

He would remember stepping out into the blinding sunlight. He would remember how Rick was hugging someone small in front of him – he couldn't quite see who it was, but everyone was smiling. And then he would remember what quite literally stopped his heart from beating for a moment. As Rick stepped aside. It was her. Beth. Alive.

He would remember how she looked up at him and her mouth fell open in a silent gasp. How he was unable to move – but she moved for him, dropping her weapons and running at him so fast, she knocked them both to the ground when she landed – her arms flung around him, holding him tight. Her face pressed into his neck. Beth. Beth Greene, alive. Beth Greene breathing and laughing and crying into him. And he was laughing and crying right back. He remembered how they remained tangled up into each other, breathing together, hearing each other's hearts beating, until Maggie came screaming down the road. And then he had to let her go – but not for long.

And now Beth was back. She had been the one to nurse him back to health – she hadn't left his side since returning. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

They kept their silent connection – neither one mentioning what had almost happened in the funeral home – but neither one forgetting it, either. Beth didn't know how to bring it up without frightening Daryl. Daryl didn't know if Beth even remembered at all, if she even wanted to be reminded.

Theirs was a skinny love – the kind sung about in slow, evocative songs. A kind of love that was shared by both parties, but unspoken – as both were too shy to admit it to the other. Too unsure about the other. But still, unable to stay away from each other – drawn inexplicably by invisible ties that had bound them since reuniting. The silence was a habit they couldn't seem to break. Not yet anyway.

And finally, Daryl had come to understand just how big Alexandria was. Beth had demanded a tour – but Daryl had nothing to show for it. He had barely left the house except to go outside the walls with Aaron.

So Beth and Daryl explored together – each making new discoveries at the same time. Daryl had been shocked to find out how many spare garages housed bike parts and helpful machinery. Beth had been delighted to find a library. It had been built by the Alexandrians – they had collected every book and piece of music they could find and compiled them all in one giant room. There was another thing Daryl would never forget – the look on Beth's face when she found a working CD player in the library. Alexandria had electricity – and Beth's eyes filled with tears as the room was filled with Patsy Cline's voice.

"I never thought I'd be able to listen to music again," she'd whispered, grabbing his arm as if he was her life support – her rock. Her foundation in this new reality. He could do nothing but stare at her, like a blind man who had suddenly found his vision once again.

And so one day (a month or so after her arrival), they found themselves in said library – all alone. Daryl had taken to cleaning his crossbow while sitting in a comfortable armchair. Beth would usually spend this time picking through stacks of CD's, occasionally making a happy noise when she found something she recognized. Sometimes she played a CD, other times she would find a book, plop down in the chair beside him, and begin to read aloud.

This particular afternoon was a rainy one. And a Sunday, no less. Sunday's were special days in the Safe Zone – everyone was given a rest from his or her weekly duties (besides the patrols, for safety reasons). It was the fourth Sunday Daryl had spent like this, with Beth in the library, cleaning his crossbow and watching her sift through music. He would be content to do this every Sunday for the rest of eternity.

"Hey Daryl?"

Beth had piped up from across the room as he'd been deep in thought. She looked especially beautiful today – the dim lights of the makeshift library made her eyes look bright and happy.

"Mhm?"

"Wanna do somethin' fun?"

He raised his eyebrows at her and sat up, curious.

"Well, I've been thinkin'…and maybe this is silly…but…"

She stopped for a moment, her cheeks turning pink. Daryl could feel his own face warming up – although there wasn't any real reason for it. She continued:

"…okay, I guess I just…I feel like I know you, like I've known you all my life. But then, as I've been going through these stacks of CD's and looking through books…I realized that I don't really know what you like. I mean, I know what you like – I could probably guess – but I don't know the little things. Like which of the books in this room is your favorite – or what CD's you've heard of, or if you even like reading."

Daryl stared at her – unsure of what she expected him to say.

Beth took a deep breath and kept going.

"I just figured it would be kinda fun if we each picked out a favorite CD and a favorite book for each other. So we get to know the little things better…it could be fun – we could make a night of it!"

Daryl actually liked this idea. He put his crossbow on the ground and moved to stand up – "alright, sounds good."

Beth beamed at him. "It's a date!"

Daryl froze. So did Beth. She clearly hadn't meant anything by it– she was just messing around – but the unspoken words and feelings between them filled the silence. They both stared at each other – sizing each other up, gauging reactions.

Then Daryl let the corner of his mouth turn up into a slight smile. "Sure is."

Beth opened her mouth to say something – then thought better of it and closed it again. She smiled widely at him. "Come and pick out a CD you like and we'll listen to your favorite song on it. Then it's my turn."

Daryl stalked over to a table covered in CD's. It didn't take long for him to find a Joan Jett album – he had always liked her. A few minutes later, "Bad Reputation" was blaring through the CD player. Daryl felt strange, sharing this with Beth. It was a good feeling, but he felt like a new door had opened – they weren't just friends who survived together anymore. They were sharing music, favorite songs, things that defined who they were on a much deeper level. And he liked it – a lot.

Next was Beth's song. She'd picked out an Aretha Franklin album – greatest hits. She sang along as "I Say A Little Prayer" filled the room, bopping her head to the beat. Daryl couldn't help but watch her.

Then something funny happened – they both reached for the same CD – a Stevie Nicks album.

"I guess, you get to pick the first song since it's technically your turn," Beth said to him with a sideways grin.

Daryl looked at the back of the CD case to find the song he was looking for. He'd been looking for a Fleetwood Mac album, but this had been the next best thing – and he did know a few of these songs, although not too well. He found one that he remembered liking when he had first heard it, and pressed play. It was "Leather and Lace" – a duet that Stevie Nicks had recorded with Don Henley in the 80's.

"Oh," Beth had said quietly, "this is the one I was gonna pick. It's my favorite..."

Daryl had forgotten how much he himself liked this song. But he also felt himself getting a little uncomfortable – this was a love song. He hadn't meant to pick a love song. It was just the two of them in this big room, listening to a pretty love song, and he didn't quite know what to do. So he shuffled awkwardly over to the chair from before and half-sat on the arm.

Beth started to sway and sing along to the lyrics, which she knew well. As he listened to the lyrics, he realized how much they seemed to mirror how he felt about her.

"You in the moonlight

With your sleepy eyes

Could you ever love a man like me

And you were right

When I walked into your house

I knew I'd never want to leave

Sometimes I'm a strong man

Sometimes cold and scared

And sometimes I cry

But that time I saw you

I knew with you to light my nights

Somehow I'd get by"

Beth was spinning now, slowly, with her arms outstretched and a smile on her upturned face. She looked like an angel – immaculate but for the few scars she had slashed across her complexion. But her scars were beautiful too, he thought. They were a part of her. Proof that she had made it – that she had fought to survive and find her way back.

And yet he still didn't know how to say it to her – to tell her what she meant to him. He didn't know what he was supposed to say – or what she wanted to hear. What if she didn't want to hear it at all? His mind was racing a mile a minute, so much so that he barely noticed when she sauntered up to him, grabbed both arms, and pulled him off of the chair and out on the floor to dance with her.

The song was almost over now. The chorus sang out once more, and Daryl felt Beth wrap her arms around his torso. So he reciprocated, and swayed back and forth with her to the sound of Stevie Nicks and the end of the song.

"Lovers forever

Face to face

My city or mountains

Stay with me stay

I need you to love me

I need you today

Give to me your leather

Take from me

My lace"

They continued to sway back and forth, even as the music stopped. It was like the world had stopped. There were no walkers, no apocalypse, there was nothing to fear. There was just Beth, and nice music, and swaying back and forth. Daryl had changed his mind – this was what he'd rather be doing every Sunday for eternity.

"I'm so happy I found you again," she said quietly, her head leaning against his shoulder. She fit perfectly there. Daryl hugged her tighter.

"Me too," he said in a low, quiet voice. And then: "Don't ever leave again."

She looked up at him and smiled. They had stopped swaying.

"Deal," she said. Her face seemed close – impossibly close. But Daryl panicked – he didn't know what to do. This had never been his life before.

Almost as if sensing his discomfort, Beth backed away. But she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards one of the couches. The moment had passed – but just barely.

"Sit there," she said shyly, "I'm gonna grab a book that I think you might like readin'. I saw it earlier and got real excited. It was one of my favorites when I was younger…"

She disappeared amongst the bookshelves momentarily, but Daryl could hear her humming the tune to "Leather and Lace."

She reappeared again, and moved towards the couch, clutching a purple book. Daryl watched her as if in slow-motion. The sway of her body as she walked, her hair throwing specks of light in every direction, the way she bit her lip when she got nervous. All of these things happened in an instant, but Daryl saw them as if he were watching a film. The best film he'd ever seen in his life. And then suddenly she was kneeling on the couch beside him, facing him nervously, her hands (and the book) in her lap.

"So, this is the first of a series – you've probably heard of it, but I thought it might be fun for you to read, and it's one of my very favorite books," she said, her eyes glancing at him nervously – as if getting him to read this book was the most important thing she'd ever done. " – It's a fantasy story, and I don't know if you like those, but it's really good I promise. But also, you don't have to read it if you don't wan – "

Daryl cut her off by leaning forward and placing his lips on hers. It was unexpected – even he hadn't known what he was about to do until he was doing it. But he couldn't take it any longer. He couldn't sit in the same room as Beth Greene, knowing full well that she was alive – that her heart was beating and her lungs were breathing and her eyes were sparkling – without kissing her. He'd wanted to do it for ages. He should have done it long ago. But for some reason, now was the time. Before he chickened out again.

And then he pulled away, fast. He didn't know if this was what Beth wanted. If he was what she wanted.

She had her eyes closed, but her mouth was open – he had surprised her. Daryl waited, looking at her, unsure again. Waiting to be told that he had made a mistake. Of course he had made a mist-

But this time Beth cut off his thoughts as she launched herself onto him, straddling him there on the couch and pushing her mouth onto his hungrily. Suddenly her fingers were curling tightly through his hair, and Daryl was doing all he could to keep up. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her, making sure he could feel her heart beat through his own chest.

Daryl had very little experience with women – but all of his doubts and fears vanished with this kiss. It was more than a kiss – it was an accumulation of everything they had been through. It was the result of months of torture, of sadness, and then after she appeared again, of waiting and second guessing. Weeks of stolen glances and reddening cheeks – of secret feelings and regret and relief mixed with profound feeling and desire and need. Of respect and life and love.

As he kissed Beth Greene, Daryl's mind went blank but for one thought. He had been wrong the last two times – THIS was what he wanted to do every Sunday for eternity. Every Monday too. And Tuesday. Every day. Forever. Kiss Beth Greene like it was the only thing he had been born to do.

After what seemed like a lifetime, they pulled apart – both gasping for breath. They stared at each other. Beth's eyes were luminous, beautiful above him. She bit her lip again and grinned. She leaned down and pressed her forehead against his, allowing her breath to settle. Daryl wanted to pinch himself – he wanted to be sure that he was really awake – that Beth had really just kissed him like that.

She had. And she would again. And he would kiss her back. Again. A lot. Forever. Daryl felt like maybe this was what Christmas morning to a little kid was supposed to feel like.

And then Beth giggled and pushed some of his long hair out of his eyes – all the while blushing furiously. She kissed him quickly on the nose and unhooked herself from him slowly. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him down with her to lay side by side on the wide couch. She curled herself against his chest, grabbed the book again and opened it.

"Chapter One." She paused and looked up at him questioningly. "You don't mind my readin' it to you, right?"

Daryl grinned down at her. He wrapped his arm around her. The couch was warm and cozy, and they had the rest of the evening to themselves. "Wouldn't have it any other way," he said, nestling down closer to her. She wrapped her legs around his. Everything was perfect.

Beth cleared her throat and began reading the first paragraph:

"Mr. And Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense…"

End

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I've already gotten some really lovely reviews for my other stories and I just wanted to say, thanks guys! I'm glad you like my one-shots! Your reviews always give me a huge smile! More to come! I love writing short Bethyl fluff! (Also I'll happily take any short story requests or fluffy prompts if you have them!)