Swimming Lessons
"What do you mean you never learned to swim?" Daryl stared at Beth. He couldn't believe it. Beth was about as southern as it got, how the hell had she never learned to swim.
"It never came up." She shrugged her shoulders like it wasn't that big of a deal, but it really was. There was a river they needed to cross coming up in a day or two and he didn't want to waste time looking for a bridge.
"Well you're about to learn. Get them clothes off." He walked over to the small pond they were near. It was small, but big enough he could teach her. He kicked off his boots and pulled his shirt over his head. Beth grumbled behind him but did as he told her. When she was down to her bra and panties she walked over and stood beside him. Daryl pulled his jeans off and waded into the water, testing its depths. Twenty yards out and he couldn't touch the bottom anymore. He moved closer to shore and held his hands out; the water was up to his chest, she wouldn't be able to touch where he was standing. "Come on."
Beth looked wary. "Are you sure we have to do this?" she asked. Daryl nodded his head, giving her a stern look. Beth huffed and slowly started to wade into the water, shivering. He smirked, it was a little chilly. He could see the slight panic as she got deeper and deeper. He took a few steps closer to her, taking her hands into his when she was close enough.
"Wrap your legs around me," he told her, slowly backing up until he was almost neck deep. Beth bit her lip nervously, looking up at him. "Now, let go and kick your feet, gonna tread water first." Beth nodded her head and slowly unwrapped her legs from around his waist. "Pretend you're riding a bike." She bit her lip but squeezed his hands a little tighter. "Don't worry, ain't gonna let you go."
He watched her for a little bit until she wasn't really using him to stay above the water. "Okay, now I'm gonna let go." She looked up at him, panic lining her eyes. "Use your arms, move them in circles, your legs won't have to do so much work then."
"O-okay." Beth slowly released her hold on his hands and stared to do as he said. Daryl took a few steps back, treading his own water as he watched her. She was a quick study, he'd give her that. She seemed to be doing fine.
"Ready to try swimming?" he asked.
"I think so."
Daryl moved closer to her. "Okay, I'm gonna lay you on your belly." He slowly worked her through the steps, held her while she practiced. Before either of them really knew it she was doing laps around the small pond. He smirked, crossing his arms as he watched her get the hang of underwater swimming. They wouldn't have a problem getting across the river now. She swam over to him and smiled, treading water. He knew she was tired though. He wrapped his arms around her and carried her back to shore.
"Thank you," she said softly as they laid out in the sun to dry off.
"Mhm." Daryl looked at her as she leaned up on her arms and bent over and kissed his cheek. They were both blushing when she laid back down. Oh hell, he was in trouble now.