"Daryl?" Beth repeated herself, this time her voice a bit louder and more frantic. She finally came into Daryl's view, having come up right behind Merle, who was still standing in the diner's doorway looking back and forth between Beth and Daryl. Daryl noticed very confused look on her face, along with something else, perhaps fear.
Daryl brushed passed Merle, putting himself between his brother and Beth, placing his hands on her shoulders and steering her away from the door, further into the parking lot.
"Baby… I don't know what's going on. He's out of jail. He called me last week… I didn't tell you and I'm sorry… but I've tried to cut him out of my life. He's bad news…. he's not a good guy. And I'm sick of him dragging me down. I don't want you being around him. I don't even wanna be around him." Daryl said quickly, his voice low, trying to keep his words just between himself and Beth. He knew he needed to give her the quickest summary he could of what was happening – Merle wouldn't give him much time to talk to her, he was sure, before he'd be interfering.
Beth's face softened a little, maybe because of the sheer panic in Daryl's face. He knew he probably seemed dramatic in the moment, but no one else knew Merle like he did, knew that he was only capable of bad things. This situation was probably completely foreign to Beth, Daryl realized – he was sure she wouldn't really understand why someone would cut themselves off from their own brother. But he knew that's what he had to do. He just didn't know how he'd get rid of Merle now – it was one thing for him to tell him over the phone that he wasn't in the area anymore, but another thing entirely to see him standing right in front of his face, and while he was with Beth and her family no less.
"Hey… hey… " Beth said in a comforting tone, in a voice that surprised Daryl. She was rubbing his arms up and down in a comforting way, obviously trying to soothe him. How could she be so calm? He wasn't sure, other than knowing that she didn't know Merle, didn't know what he was capable of. "It's gonna be okay, Daryl. He's your brother. He's not going to hurt you… hurt us, right?"
"Not physically no… but… he's just bad news, Beth. I don't want him in my life. I don't want him in our life." Daryl said. He was serious now, feeling confident about what he needed to do, but still frustrated that he was even in this situation. Beth was looking at him with confusion, but he had to make sure she understood how serious this was. "I'm serious, baby… Look… I just got ya back. Nothing's coming between us. Ya gotta trust me on this. You got to. Alright?".
"But… but he's your brother, Daryl?" Beth said, questioning Daryl, not fully sure of what he was saying.
"Baby I know. But I've tried. It's no use. You've just gotta trust me. Please, trust me. Please." Daryl said. He felt like he was begging now, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He was convinced that he was doing the right thing and nothing could change that.
Beth was silent for a long moment and Daryl wasn't quite sure what she was thinking. But finally she nodded her head and Daryl knew that she was conceding to him.
"You go on back inside. I'll be there in a minute." Daryl said, and Beth nodded again, starting to move passed him now back into the restaurant.
Daryl grabbed her arm before she got very far, though, pulling her back to him, into his arms. He squeezed her tight and whispered into her ear.
"I love you, Beth. I'll always take care of you first… before anything else. I love you so much, baby."
Daryl watched as Beth passed by Merle – and he was shocked that Merle didn't even try to talk to her, or worse. His eyes followed her though, and Daryl could tell that Merle was looking Beth up and down. It made him sick.
Merle walked towards Daryl then, moving back out of the restaurant.
"That's a hot one you got there, baby brother. Not sure what she sees in you..." Merle said, that same smug smile on his face.
"Me either" Daryl said, realizing immediately that he hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"That her family in there?" Merle asked.
"Yeah... We... Uh... We're visiting them for a few days." Daryl said.
"Well what a coincidence that I ran into ya on your visit, then!" Merle said, chuckling. He emphasized "visit", as if implying he didn't believe what Daryl told him a few days prior about living out of state.
Daryl could only stare at his brother for a moment. He knew what he needed to do, what he needed to say. But it was much harder that they were face to face now. How do you tell your only blood relative that you don't want them in your life? He also knew Merle wouldn't easily accept that type of declaration. And Daryl didn't want to start something that would turn ugly. And with Merle it always turned ugly sooner or later.
"Look Merle..." Daryl started, finding a surge of confidence all of a sudden. "That girl in there... She's my whole world. I promised her... I promised her I'd always protect her. And I promised her daddy. And that's my priority. Not you. Not your sorry ass. She's my family now. So stay out of my life."
"Oh... Come on now! I'm the only one that's ever really accepted you. That ain't never gonna change and you know it. She might like ya now, but… you know it ain't gonna last. She know all the stupid shit you've done?" Merle said.
"Yeah. She does. Every bit. And she loves me anyway." Daryl said.
"But I'm your kin... Your own blood!" Merle said, his expression growing more serious with the realization that Daryl wasn't backing down.
"You are... You are my family. And you were the only thing I had for a long, long time. But now that's changed. You're my past... But that girl in there, she's my future." Daryl replied, pointing his hand in an exaggerated manner back towards the restaurant door as he mentioned Beth.
Merle looked completely shocked and was, for once in his life, rendered speechless. "You give it some time, you get your shit together, you prove that you can stay clean, stay out of trouble and we'll see... We'll see how it goes after that." Daryl said. He didn't think it was far to cut Merle off completely forever and he wasn't sure he could, either. He also guessed some of Beth's optimism had rubbed off on him - he hoped his brother actually could change, actually could live like a normal, functional person. He just wasn't going to bet on it.
Daryl didn't give Merle time to regain himself. He turned around and stalked back into the restaurant, away from Merle and away from all the trouble he'd caused him, all the heartache of his past. He was surprised in that moment how free he felt, as if he'd literally been carrying a weigh for years and years and all of a sudden he'd put it down.
And as he sat back down at the table with Beth and her family, smiling politely to them and squeezing Beth's hand in reassurance, he guessed in some ways he had put down a weight. His entire life he'd been told he was nothing, and he'd carried around that burden, all the hurts and pain of never being truly loved or cared for. But standing up to Merle, and walking away from him the way he just had made him feel like all that was behind him – and he knew now that what was in front of him, what his future was supposed to be, was made up of the people right in front of him. They were his new family, he thought. He didn't have to carry that burden anymore. Now, he thought, he could just be free.
By the time they arrived back at the Greene farm it was midafternoon. The trip had taken a lot out of everyone, both physically and emotionally, and everyone seemed in need of some rest for a while. Daryl also guessed that Beth's family, while anxious to visit with her, might still be a bit anxious after her outburst at the diner. And he was grateful to finally be able to be with Beth alone, even just to be away from the prying eyes of others.
He carried her things into her room and she followed him happily, closing the door and then flopping down onto the bed after stepping out of her flip flops. Daryl had to fight the desire to jump on top of her, seeing her lying there, her body all spread out and open. There will be plenty of time for that, he thought to himself, and he settled to lay down next to her, pulling her up against him and snuggling into her. He'd be completely content with just this, he thought, just holding her, just knowing she was right there with him.
But Beth had other ideas. Daryl's sweet cuddling and innocent kissing soon turned into Beth rolling him over and climbing on top of him, straddling him. She kissed him wildly and deeply – and for a few moments he was totally lost in it. He realized then that maybe it'd been for the best that Beth had gone away early in their relationship. If she had to go, he thought, maybe it was good that it was before he'd really even gotten used to this type of closeness. Sure, they'd spent the weeks after the drowning cuddling together, but their physical relationship had really only gotten serious starting the day of the incident with her uncle, July 4th. Daryl had missed Beth, but mostly her companionship, not as much the physical. But now, now that he was seeing this part of Beth, he thought, he wasn't sure how he'd ever manage to be away from her like he had for those six weeks. He hoped he'd never have to find out.
They kissed for a long time, just touching and feeling and loving being with each other. But when Beth started to unbutton his shirt, Daryl realized her intentions. He grabbed her wrists, stopping her from undoing any more than the couple she already had. Her eyes were wild with lust but also with a growing confusion. She looked at Daryl for an explanation and he thought for a moment about just throwing caution to the whole damn thing.
But he had to be strong. As much as he wanted Beth, wanted to make love to her, show her how much he loved her in that way, he couldn't. It wasn't right, he'd thought, and he knew that was still true. He knew he'd promised himself that he'd make them wait until they got back home. And he was committed to it, even if was incredibly hard.
"Plenty of time for that" he said to her sweetly, trying to explain his actions to Beth as she still looked at him with confusion.
She kissed him again. This time, she let her lips travel, first moving down to his chin, then all the way up his jaw line and finally finding his ear.
"I don't want to wait..." Beth whispered, punctuating each word for emphasis.
Daryl almost lost his resolve. But he reminded himself that he had to be strong – he had self-control right? Couldn't be make it a couple of days?
"Baby, we can't. Not here. It's... It's weird. I just can't. But when we get home..." Daryl said, trailing off, letting Beth gather the meaning of what he was saying.
She pouted a bit, looking down at him from where she still sat on top of him.
"It's just a couple of days, baby." Daryl said, secretly loving the fact that when he talked about home it was the same home as Beth's – they were living together now and he couldn't wait for them to be there and for their life together to really start.
"I know... You're right..." Beth said, scooting back a bit and then laying herself down onto Daryl's chest. "I just wanna be with you again... Wanna feel that close to you. Like the night we made love. I wanna make love. I've been thinking about it all the time."
"Oh?" Daryl asked. Beth was running her fingers along the exposed part of his chest. He couldn't help but love this, the easiness between them.
"Yeah..." she said, sighing and then looking up to meet his gaze. "I just... I just love you so much..."
"I love you too, baby girl. And as soon as we get home... I'm gonna show you just how much" Daryl said, wiggling his eyebrows a bit, a big smile spreading across his face.
"Yeah?" Beth asked, and Daryl could instantly tell that he'd gotten her attention. She was intently watching him now, but the look on her face had changed a bit. "Wanna tell me how you're gonna show me?"
Daryl knew he was playing with fire now, knew he shouldn't continue this. Beth was asking him to talk dirty to her, but to what end, he wondered. But then Beth was sitting up, pulling her shirt over her head, exposing her bare breasts which Daryl could definitely tell now were actually a bit bigger. And as if that wasn't enough she starting touching them, touching herself. And his resolve started melting.
Before he knew what he was doing, he was sitting up, propping his back up against the headboard and then bidding Beth towards him.
"Come here..." he said. And she did, planting herself in between his legs, her back against his chest.
He replaced her hands with his own, remembering the first time he'd done this to her when he'd made her cum in the kitchen. That was perhaps the only good thing that Merle had ever taught him – that girls with smaller breasts could sometimes orgasm just from touching them, their smaller breasts being much more sensitive than a woman with larger ones.
"Tell me..." she pleaded. And he couldn't deny her, not when she was pleading with him. He'd never been one for doing this, for dirty talk, but he told himself to just let go, to just say the things that he normally reserved only for his mind.
He continued his worship of her breasts, dipping his head down over her shoulder so he had a better view but could also whisper right into her ear.
"Well... I'm gonna take these beautiful tits of yours..." Daryl started, squeezes Beth's breasts tightly for a moment, continuing to rub the palms of his hands around each one. "And I'm going to lick them... and suck them... Until you scream, baby. You are so gorgeous when you cum."
Beth had started to move against him now, grinding her hips slightly into the bed. Daryl was sure she was starting to get wet. She hummed out her please with Daryl's words, so he continued.
"I'm gonna titty fuck you, baby. I want to fuck your titties so bad... Will you let me?" Daryl said, breathing his words into Beth's ear.
"Yes... Yes... You can..." Beth answered, her words coming out in spurts, almost like a chant.
"And I'm gonna lick that beautiful pussy of yours." Daryl said in a low tone. He paused to gauge her reaction. And when she moaned loudly, he continued. "Gotta try to be quiet, baby… you don't want anyone to hear us do you? If you get to loud I'll have to stop…"
"Don't… I'll… I'll be quiet…" Beth said, almost begging.
"You gonna be a good girl for me, baby?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah… Yeah… I'll be good…" Beth panted out. She was desperate now. And Daryl knew just what to say to send her spiraling towards the edge of her climax.
"I can't wait to taste it...Taste you, baby. I'm gonna make you cum over and over and over... Just licking you up and down, swirling my tongue around your clit. And sucking it. You gonna scream for me baby girl?"
"Ooooooohhh yes" Beth managed to moan out.
"Yeah? You like that?" Daryl asked. He didn't need the affirmation, but he wanted to hear her.
"Mmmmmmm. What else?" Beth asked. She was getting more heated, now Daryl noticed, her movements rhythmic as she rocked a little against him.
"I'm gonna tie you to the bed... to our bed... And see how many times I can make you cum... See how long you can take it. I'm gonna pound into you, baby. You said you wanted me to fuck you..."
"Oh God I do!" Beth gasped out, her breath hitching as her arousal grew with Daryl's continual work on her breasts.
"You do?" Daryl asked. Again, knowing the answer but wanting her to say it.
"Yes" Beth managed to respond between gasps and moans.
"Tell me what you want... I wanna hear you say it" he said.
"I want you... I want you to fuck me, Daryl" Beth said.
"How hard?" Daryl asked, egging her on, seeing her excitement building through this little game of cat and mouse.
"So hard..." she managed.
"You're so sexy, baby" Daryl said. He still couldn't get over this, that he could have this with Beth, that he could have her this way. "You want me to touch your pussy don't you baby? You want it so bad right now, don't you?"
Beth's head fell back and she arched her back against Daryl, obviously even more aroused at the thought of what he was saying.
"Tell me baby..." he said.
"Yes. Touch me." Beth said, panting.
"Where?" Daryl asked, grinning into the side of her face as he kissed her ear as he also spoke into it.
"Daryl..." Beth started to say.
"Tell me, baby. Say it. Where do you want me to touch you?" Daryl said, running his hand down onto her stomach, teasing her.
"My... My... Pussy" Beth said and Daryl knew that for some reason, in that moment, she felt shy about saying that.
"Mmmhmmmm..." Daryl hummed out into her ear with pleasure, letting the vibrations of his hum run through her. He was going to give her what she wanted, but he was going to make her squirm a little first.
He took his time, teasing her, one hand playing with the waist band of her shorts and the other still moving over her breasts.
"You remember that first night I touched you, baby? I know you wore those tiny white shorts just to tease me. God, you were so wet that night. And begging me to touch you. I wanted you to cum so bad baby."
That memory seemed to have the desired impact on Beth – she started rubbing her thighs together desperate for friction, for the pressure to appease her growing arousal.
He finally unbuttoned her shorts, thankful that they weren't tight. And in one solid movement he ran his hand down slowly into her shorts, into her panties, and onto her wet core. Beth gasped loudly and Daryl worried for a moment about the noise she was making. But it was too late to worry too much, he thought.
"You're dripping, baby. God... So wet for me. How'd you get so wet?" Daryl whispered.
"You..." was all Beth could manage to say, writhing under Daryl's fingers on her most intimate part.
"That's right, baby. I will always make you wet. But I'm the only one. Is that what you want? Want me to make your pussy wet? Every day?" Daryl asked. He loved this, talking to her like this, making her respond. It had made him unbelievably hard, but his thoughts weren't about that. Somehow his arousal only drove him to want to please Beth, to make her feel as good as he possibly could.
"Yes, Daryl... God, yes." Beth said. She was getting close now, Daryl thought, and he wanted so desperately to help her fall over that edge.
"You gonna cum for me baby?" He asked, pushing a finger inside her, listening to her loud moans which now almost seemed like little cheers, egging him on.
"Oooohhhh" Beth moaned loudly, nearing the edge of her climax.
"You're so tight, baby. Oh I love touching you... Just wait til I'm inside you again baby... Til this is my cock in your pussy, not my fingers. I want you to cum, baby. Cum on my hand." Daryl urged, hoping his words would push her that extra bit she needed.
Beth was thrusting her pelvis into his hand now and Daryl loved every single second, loved being this close to her, seeing her working herself towards that climax she was seeking.
"That's it baby girl..."Daryl said. "Fuck my hand. Ride my hand, baby. You're so close..."
After only a moment he could feel her tightening and then cumming, hard, all over his hand. She groaned loudly, too loudly he thought, over and over, riding out her pleasure as Daryl encouraged her on with little affirmations.
When he was satisfied that he'd milked all the pleasure he could from her he pulled his hand out, and pulled her against him, letting her relax into him, tired from her body's exertion. Daryl hummed into her ear in satisfaction, feeling so close to her in that moment. Everything else, everyone else was a million miles away then – it was just he and Beth now.
"Feel better, baby?" He asked.
Beth just shook her head in agreement, turning her head just enough to see him out of the corner of her eye.
"I love you" Daryl whispered into her ear.
Beth turned a bit in his arms, looking at him full on now. She had a smile on her face that could only be attributed to someone who'd just had a really good release and Daryl loved that he'd put it there.
But she turned her focus, suddenly intent on returning the favor, cupping Daryl's still hard erection through his pants.
And for the second time in a short span Daryl found himself grabbing her, stopping her from doing anything further. He shook his head to her. But it was obvious she didn't understand.
"What's wrong?" she asked a bit of sadness registering on her face and in her voice. "Don't you want to...?"
"I do. But, that's not what this is about." Daryl said, cupping her face in his hands, looking at her intently.
"Oh..." Beth said, still not seeming to understand him. "But don't you... Want to feel good?"
"It's not about that for me, Beth. Yeah, I love how you make me feel. You drive me so crazy sometimes I think I might just die. But I'd trade it all just to make you happy... to make you feel good." Daryl said, dragging his thumbs over her cheeks sweetly. "It's not tit for tat, okay? I did that because I wanted to... Because I love you. Not so I could get something in return."
Beth just stared at him in shock. That was okay, though, he thought. She didn't have to completely understand – and he knew maybe she'd never been with someone like this before, someone that put his own pleasure above his own. Unfortunately many guys didn't seem able, or maybe they just weren't willing. And he knew he wasn't this way before. But loving Beth had changed him, made him see things differently, a bit more clearly perhaps.
He slowly pulled them both down onto the bed, cuddling Beth from behind tightly as she lay on her side. He pulled a blanket from the foot of the bed up and over them, covering them up to their waists. They both were tired, needed to nap for a little while. He was just glad they could do it together.
He kissed her neck, nuzzling into her closely as she melted back into his body. She'd just closed her eyes and Daryl hoped that she'd soon find the peaceful rest that she desperately needed.
"I love you. You're the most important thing in my life. I can't promise you that things will always be easy, but just hold onto me and I'll get us through. Just hold on..." Daryl whispered into her ear before closing his own eyes and drifting away, content and happy and so love that it almost hurt.