"The hell's goin' on?" Daryl grumbled as he pulled the truck to a stop and threw it into park. After several moments, they watched as Glenn made his way from the RV to stop at each car.
"Jim's not doing so good. He figures it'll be any time now. Looks like we're gonna find a spot for him and leave him."
"What?!" Beth exclaimed. "We can't just desert him like that!"
Glenn only shrugged, "It's his idea," before returning to the RV where members of the group were helping Jim down the steps and to the edge of the trees lining the highway. Each person took their turn saying goodbye to Jim. Beth walked in the morbid procession with Daryl, offering a timid wave as he nodded. They returned to their vehicles and continued following the highway.
The silence between the two of them felt different this time. It was filled with a new kind of tension, not one of anger but a sense of dread and sorrow. The caravan crept slowly along, stopping every so often to move vehicles out of the way when necessary. Beth realized they were making their way back through Atlanta, though coming from a different highway than she'd ever used. In fact, this was a part of the city Beth had never encountered at all, with hardly a storefront or restaurant in sight, at least that she could see.
The RV, and the vehicles following it, pulled up in front of an asymmetrical building. On the grounds surrounding it was a military checkpoint – at least, what was left of it; now the sidewalks and asphalt were littered with half-eaten corpses and blood-splattered sandbags piled on top of each other to create some semblance of a wall. As if the sight alone wasn't enough to turn her stomach, the reeking stench of death and decay invaded her nose; Beth had to pull the collar of her shirt to cover the lower part of her face to try to keep the smell out and avoid losing what little food she had in her stomach.
She reluctantly followed when Daryl climbed out of the truck, staying close behind him without his having to tell her so. He looked back at her, once, scanning her up and down and nodding when he saw her knife secured to her hip before resuming his place at the rear of the group as they made their way to the building. Large lettering on a sign told her it was the Center for Disease Control and she remembered Rick insisting the group try their chances there – it was their best bet to find a cure for whatever was causing the dead to walk again.
As they approached what appeared to be the front entrance, Beth felt her heart plummet into her stomach as she realized the doors were all covered by metal rolling doors like the ones she would see at storage lockers. A glance at the people around her showed they were all just as disappointed and devastated as she was. Rick and Shane began banging on the door, calling for help she doubted would ever come. Their noise began to attract a few walkers, which Daryl quickly took out with a bolt from his crossbow. Tempers flaring, Daryl started yelling at Rick, Shane was yelling at Daryl, Lori was yelling at Rick, Rick was yelling at the people he believed to be inside. Carl and Sophia began to cry as Beth just watched the scene unfold, numb to her core, somehow calmly accepting that she would die that night.
Daryl grabbed her and pushed her behind him, his back to the building, as he prepared himself to defend the two of them against whatever threats were coming their way. Rick was ranting about having seen a security camera move, desperately pleading that whoever was controlling it would open the door. His words echoed in Beth's ears: "You're killing us!"
A blinding light came from within the building as the rolling door was raised by an unknown savior. She felt Daryl turn slowly behind her in obvious disbelief. Not wasting another minute, the group rushed inside before more walkers could get any closer and follow them inside.
There was one man still living in this giant building complex, who introduced himself as Edwin Jenner. He explained that the rest of the staff was all dead or gone, that it was just him and the computers left. The younger children began asking their mothers about food, which prompted Jenner to volunteer to cook dinner for the lot of them, complete with glasses of wine.
Beth stayed close to Daryl; it wasn't that she didn't trust this man, but she could sense there was something off about the whole situation. Why hadn't he let them in at the first sight of them through his security camera? Why did he feel the need to subject them all to a blood test upon entering the facility? No one else seemed to have these questions – at least, no one brought any of them up – so she focused on eating heartily, trying to remember the last time she'd used a fork and knife to eat.
She'd never had wine before, so she sipped slowly at her drink. Even so, she began to feel the effects of the alcohol: her muscles relaxing, her mind becoming cloudy, her eyelids starting to droop. Beth excused herself to use the restroom, splashing some cool water on her face to wake herself up a little before returning. When she passed Daryl, his hand shot out and grabbed her hip, bringing her to sit on his lap. He had definitely had quite a bit more to drink than she had. It was the most relaxed she'd seen him, laughing and talking more than she'd ever heard before. His hand stayed possessively on her hip, his thumb tracing slow arcs on her skin, as the others told stories of where they'd come from, losing themselves to memories of good times in an effort to escape their grim reality. She found herself giggling at the stories being told around her. It was easy to do, with everyone feeling more relaxed than they had in weeks, laughing with their bellies full for the first time since their world ended. Daryl's hand just rested on her hip, warm and possessive as it tightened each time she readjusted on his lap.
During one of Rick and Shane's cop stories, Daryl leaned in to nuzzle just under her jawline, whispering wickedly, "Thinkin' I'mma take you up on that offer tonight."
Her eyes blinked open in surprise and she turned her head so she could look at him. He was looking right back at her, his customary cocky grin firmly in place. Daryl leaned in again, murmuring, "Lay you down in a bed and show you what it's really supposed to be like," then closed his teeth around the tendon in her neck, just briefly, but long enough to cause a rash of goosebumps to cover her skin and a blush she couldn't blame on the wine to darken her cheeks. "That's it, girlie. I wanna see how red yer face can get."
A chill ran up and down her spine, but she realized it wasn't out of fear, but anticipation. She was suddenly glad she was wearing one of Amy's shirts that day, a size bigger than she normally wore; the fabric bunched up around her torso, concealing her hardening nipples that would have surely been obvious to everyone seated around the table if she'd been wearing her own T-shirt. Daryl seemed to have picked up on her reaction, somehow, and brought his other hand to rest on her knee, inching his palm up her thigh until he was encircling her in his arms, one hand firmly on her ass, the other still tracing those delicious arcs on her skin.
Beth half expected him to carry her off over his shoulder once she'd finished her latest glass of wine (which went down much more quickly than the previous glasses, mostly due to her nerves flaring up and her mouth having dried up unexpectedly), but he waited until the rest of the group unanimously decided they'd stayed up late enough and walked as one down the hallway to their quarters, each of them excitedly talking about sleeping in a soft bed after taking a warm shower.
The moment their door closed behind them, Daryl had spun her around and pressed her up against the wall, his lips crushing hers in his impatience. He didn't pull away as he threaded his fingers through her hair and carefully guided her toward the bed they were to share that night. She went to sit when the backs of her legs hit the mattress, but he held her in place, kissing down her neck as made quick work of divesting her of most of her clothes but kept himself fully clothed. The next thing she knew, he was on his knees in front of her, his hands on her hips, only her underwear and a few inches' space between his mouth and...her.
He placed a gentle kiss just below her belly button, and another...and another...each kiss planted an inch lower than the last, until she felt him kiss her mound. She gasped and gripped Daryl's hair tightly in her fingers. She whispered his name harshly, unable to find her voice in the moment, and released a shaky breath when she heard him chuckle against her. To her relief (and a touch of disappointment), Daryl stood up and walked away toward the head of the bed. She turned to watch as he pulled the blanket and sheet back. He turned back to her and crooked a finger, beckoning her to come to him. She slowly rounded the bed until she stood right in front of him and looked up to see him raising an eyebrow as if to ask her, "...well?"
Beth's heart pounded in her chest. The wine she'd drank was making her braver than she'd ever felt. She placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled herself up to kiss him, then trailed her fingers over his collarbones until they met at the top button of his shirt. Daryl jerked his head back, glowering down at her before gripping her hips and turning her so she was flush up against him and her back was to the bed. One strong arm came up and across her back, supporting her as he guided them both toward the mattress, immediately attaching his lips to her neck as he climbed over her, a knee on either side of her thighs. He pulled his hand from behind her to rest on her hip as he scraped his teeth along the column of her throat.
Beth knew she shouldn't be enjoying this as much as she was, but it all felt so good to her. Daryl's hands on her were somehow different than the first time they'd done this. Instead of hurried and only serving a means to an end, this time Daryl was teasing and tempting, drawing out tiny gasps and moans from Beth that were beyond her control. She knew her feelings toward him were beginning to change; was it possible he was actually beginning to care for her, too?
As Daryl kissed along her neck and collarbones, dropping down to her breasts to tease her nipples into stiff peaks before returning to land scorching kisses against her mouth, lowering his body onto hers, sinking both of them further into the mattress, Beth took advantage of her sudden bravery and let her hands wander along his shoulders, along the nape of his neck and up into his hair, effectively drawing him closer. A thrill shot through her when he moaned into her mouth as she tugged his hair and arched her back, pressing herself further against him. Spurred on by this, she brought her hands to his chest again to undo another button. Again, he jerked his head back and stared down at her with a stern expression. He opened his mouth, but she pulled him down and kissed him before he had a chance to say anything. She smiled to herself when she realized how easily he could be distracted.
Beth couldn't help but wonder why he was so adamant against her unbuttoning his shirt. Come to think of it, in all the time they'd spent together, she'd never seen him without a shirt...or pants, for that matter. Judging by the way he behaved, Beth didn't peg Daryl as one for being shy. Ever.
Daryl wedged his knee between her thighs, pressing firmly against her center and rocking against her, sending little jolts of electricity through her with each movement. He worked in his other knee, effectively spreading her legs and allowing him to rest in the cradle of her body while still keeping up his gentle rocking motion.
Beth wasn't sure what to do, where her hands should go other than his hair and shoulders; anytime she moved them seemed to irritate Daryl. Somehow, Daryl apparently picked up on this; he pulled her hand away from his neck to trail down his side, his torso, until she was cupping him through his pants. She blushed at his forwardness. It wasn't that she was opposed to having sex with Daryl, especially after he had showed her (and was continuing to demonstrate) just how good it could all feel. She just felt lost in it all, like she wasn't sure she should be enjoying it...or that she should be wanting more of what he was doing to her body. Daryl let out a low groan against her neck when she gently squeezed him, somehow knowing that's what he wanted without him saying it.
His hand left her breast to find its way between them to undo his belt. They both grunted in frustration, her at the lack of warmth on her skin, him because his fingers wouldn't cooperate. Daryl sat back on his knees, looking down at Beth salaciously as he pulled the end of his belt from its clasp and tugged the fly of his jeans open, shoving them down over his hips. Beth caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she looked up at him. When their eyes met, she reached down and unbuttoned her own jeans, earning a wicked grin from Daryl. Handing over control to her alcohol induced bravery once more before it completely ran out, she slid down the zipper and started to wriggle out of her pants until Daryl took over and tugged them down her legs.
Daryl covered her body with his once again, pressing them together intimately close. Beth could feel his erection insisting entrance to her body, but they were still separated by her panties and his boxers. Her long legs instinctively wrapped around him, copying her arms sliding around his broad shoulders. His hands ghosted over her skin, tangling themselves in her hair, grabbing her breasts and her butt. All the while, they were kissing each other breathless, licking and biting shoulders and necks each time they came up for air.
"Daryl," she whispered, unsure of what she wanted to say next, even if she could get the words out.
He seemed to be able to read her mind once again and began trailing wandering kisses down her throat, her collarbones, in the valley of her breasts. He continued the line over her navel, which caused Beth to gasp loudly, arching her back and bucking her hips all at once. His warm breath both calmed and teased her as he chuckled against her skin before pressing his lips just above the waistband of her panties. She felt his fingers curl into the elastic and start pulling the garment over her hips, which she lifted to help him strip her bare.
His finger slid into her easily, not with the unfamiliar pressure of the last time they'd done this. "Shit, girl," Daryl whispered in near reverence, "you're so damn wet for me." Beth felt the heat of her blush covering her cheeks and spreading down to her chest, causing her nipples to harden even more than before. Her jaw dropped as he worked a second finger into her and curved it against her inner walls, coaxing her to open for him. He pulled her hand down to meet his between her legs. When she looked up at him, confused, he suggested, "Why don't ya go 'head an' play with yerself a little."
Beth had never touched herself before. "I..." she stammered, starting to shake her head.
"Do what feels good, sweetheart. I wanna feel ya cum on my fingers."
She felt her muscles grip his fingers at the mere suggestion. Beth started moving her fingers, trying to remember what Daryl had done that morning after which seemed so long ago now. Before long, her fingers were moving on their own, her body knowing what it needed more than her own mind. A steady warmth began to build low in her belly until it suddenly shattered and her entire body clenched and released simultaneously, shocking her system from head to toe. When she finally felt herself relax, Beth gulped air into her lungs, panting to catch her breath.
She blinked up at Daryl, unable to form any words, and saw him licking the fingers that had just been inside her, closing his eyes as if he were savoring the taste. He wiped the rest off on his boxers before shoving them down his legs and onto the floor then positioning himself, ready to enter her.
Between the wine still in her system and the rush of endorphins coursing through her after her orgasm, Beth couldn't be bothered to even pretend to put up any kind of resistance to him. Daryl filled her in one swift stroke, stretching the muscles that had just clamped down around his fingers so deliciously. There was the slightest trace of pain as he seated himself inside her, but it was soon forgotten as he kissed her with a surprising amount of tenderness and slowly moved his hips away from hers. He moved unhurriedly yet deliberately, pulling all the way out before returning to her depths at a maddeningly slow pace. Her legs once again wrapped around him.
"Ya like that, sweetheart?" he asked, continuing his painstaking rhythm. Beth bit her lip again and nodded, her eyes scrunched tight, trying her best to keep any noise from escaping her. "Fuckin' let me know it, girl." Beth's eyes shot open in disbelief. "Usually can't get ya ta shut up, now ya clam up. Wanna hear you scream, girl."
The best she could do was let out a tiny squeak, mostly in shock at what he had said. "That's it, girl," he grinned down at her, pulling almost all the way out again. This time on the down stroke, he thrust into her roughly, forcing a grunt from deep within her to the surface. "Yeah, like that."
Beth found that letting it out as he moved within her only made everything better, like he was helping her find release again with every thrust. She stopped holding herself back so much, her body letting her really feel every sensation Daryl was sharing with her. As he increased his tempo, Beth's cries became louder and more frequent before she silenced herself again, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Nah, girl, come on. Let 'em hear ya," Daryl encouraged. "Only reason we can't get loud outside sure as hell ain't on account of them. We're safe in here. C'mon, lemme hear ya'gain." He rocked back on his knees again, holding onto her thighs for leverage. "Fuck, yes," he exclaimed as she cried out yet again, unable to stop herself.
That same warmth began to grow as she felt her inner walls begin to quicken around him. "Oh my god, Daryl," she said breathlessly. He kept pounding away, gaining in speed and intensity with each stroke, even bringing his hand to play against her still sensitive nub to help push her right over the edge. Her breath caught in her throat as a second orgasm took over, finally breaking into a long guttural moan as it crested and washed over her. A moment later, Daryl found his own release inside her, growling through clenched teeth as he pushed into her one last time before panting as he twitched with the final seconds of his own orgasm.
Daryl collapsed on top of her, still firmly embedded within her. "Jesus, girl," he breathed against her chest, his forehead pressed against her throat. He straightened out, slipping out from between her folds, and landed next to her, pulling her into his arms. She let herself be held without question, definitely welcoming this new feeling of closeness as opposed to feeling used like she had been the past two weeks. "Really should take a damn shower, but I ain't gonna fuckin' move until I hafta."
Another moment passed. Beth had already begun to feel the first pull of sleep coming over her when Daryl asked, "Was it...better?"
Beth turned to look him in the eye. He seemed so unlike himself, lacking his usual confidence and bravado. Beth just nodded, "Yes. It was definitely better."
"Good," he grinned, obviously pleased with himself, then kissed her forehead and relaxed into the pillow beneath him. He reached behind him and pulled the sheet and blanket over the both of them before wrapping his arm around her again, keeping her firmly at his side.
Beth couldn't find any reason to refuse or complain as she slipped into the first peaceful sleep she'd had since the world had ended.
I am continuously blown away by the support I've gotten for this story. I'm trying my best to get updates out for you all, but real life has been keeping me plenty busy lately and doesn't really show any signs of slowing down. I'm not giving up, I promise.
I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful comments and all the kudos and follows and what-have-you. My heart does a fun little skip every time I get an update. On top of that, this story was nominated for the Bethyl Moonshine Awards on tumblr (see ultimatebethylficlist for details). I am beyond surprised to have been nominated – thank you Thank You THANK YOU!
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