"Never Give Up (On Each Other)"

Author: carmen_085

Disclaimer: I do not own any Walking Dead Characters. I do own all original characters.

Summary: In the months before the beginning of the apocalypse, Daryl finds himself homeless, alone, and with no direction. An adult Beth is struggling to balance her job, sick parents, and the farm. Feeling like the world is suffocating her, will taking a chance on a stranger change everything ? Can these two find what they need in each other before life as they know it ends and they must do anything to survive. AU but eventual ZA with full cast.

Chapter Eighteen

Daryl's legs felt shaky and weak as he crawled out onto the roof. If he slid off the side and fell on face breaking every bone in his body, he still wouldn't be mad. He'd never felt like this a day in his life, weak and trembling from what a woman had just done to him. And even more than that, from the fact that she loved him. Had those words come out of anyone else's mouth he might have shaken them off as empty sentiment. But not Beth. That girl didn't have a manipulative bone in her body. She was the kindest, gentlest, most loving person he had ever met and for some unknown reason she saw something in him. Something that she loved.

Just the thought made him shudder. Leaning back against the house, he took a deep breath. The fields were dark, inky black as the moon slipped inside the clouds. Everything was quiet, even the cicadas and tree frogs had fallen silent. Daryl exhaled steadying himself. He didn't think it was possible to feel so much.

The curtains rustled and inside he heard someone moving. Involuntarily, he stiffened as Beth poked her head out the window. Didn't know why he just did that, this woman knew him better than anyone in the world. Still…he wasn't used to being so damn exposed in front of another person.

"Want some company ?" Beth's normally open face was pensive and unsure. Clearly worried that she'd be crowding his space. He took a deep breath before nodding. If he couldn't be comfortable around her, he'd never be able to let his guard down around anyone. And he wanted to…fucking Christ he wanted to. If this really was the end of the world, and everything would be over soon; he wanted to know what it felt like to be loved. Just the way he was. Just once.

Placing a steadying hand on her elbow he held onto her tightly until she was sitting safely right bedside him. Together they stared out at the darkness. Drawing her knees up to her chest, Beth rested her chin down as she sat silently next to him. If her agenda had been to invade his space and force a response to those three words, she sure didn't act like it. She seemed content and peaceful, happy just to be there next to him- their bodies leaning into each other lightly. Daryl on the other hand, struggled, his insides twisting painful trying to wring an explanation from himself if nothing else.

"Nobody ever said that to me before…" There it was. His words floated away into the humid night air as a silence fell between them. Looking down Beth licked her lips knowing that she had to choose her words carefully right now.

"Nobody's ever known you like I do." It was bold and presumptuous, having only know Daryl a few months when surely he'd known others for much longer. How could she know such a thing…assume such a thing…and yet she wasn't wrong. Nobody in Daryl's life had made him feel safe enough to just be himself. To be seen for what he was not for what someone wanted him to be. She wasn't wrong, could never be wrong- Beth was the smartest damn person he knew. Nobody could hide from her, not even him.

He grunted in reply not offering a word to the contrary. They were quiet again as Daryl began to chew the skin around his thumbnail, a nervous habit when he was trying to figure out what to say. Giving up with a rushing exhale he let the words on his mind tumble out of his mouth. "Merle used to say it to me…used it against me when he wanted, 'nobody's ever gonna love you like I do baby brother. Then he'd tell me we we're gonna do something- usually something illegal. If I didn't want to, he'd say it again… make it seem like I owed it to him because of that.'"

Beth was quiet, turning her cheek to rest on her knees so she could look at him. Daryl looked down shaking his head, wishing that his hair was long so he could at least have someplace to hide. "My Ma….I don't have a lot of memories about her. She died when I was young, in a fire." It was true, Anne Dixon had burned up with the house when Daryl was seven or eight. Smoking in bed, nobody had been surprised, not even him. "Remember her sayin' she was sorry more than anything else…" Truth was she could be as sorry as she wanted, didn't change that she never stopped it. Daryl shrugged his shoulders, it was over and done, the marks across his back proved as much.

Beth sighed softly. She doubted that Daryl had ever opened up like this to anyone before. It made her feel warm inside knowing that he trusted her. No matter what happened next or how long they had together she vowed that she would never betray that trust. She loved him…she meant that more than anything…and she would always have his back.

Daryl worked his lower lip. Wasn't much else to tell. He'd never had a girlfriend before, women usually steered clear of him unless Merle slipped a bill in their G-String and pushed them his way. Never had no friends and no other family; it was always just him. Just surviving

"You don't have to say it back to me." Her voice was soft and before she could finish he

opened his mouth. Laying a gentle hand on his forearm she shook her head, "You don't…. It's alright, I understand." Daryl stiffened for a moment thinking about how it wasn't right at all that she say it to him and he not say it back. That's how it worked right ? He had no idea really, he'd never heard two people exchange the sentiment aside from on tv. Still this was Beth and when he said it he wanted to mean it with every single part of him. She deserved that much at least.

Blue, honest eyes stared back at him as he exhaled a shaky breath. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips as he lifted his arm and put it around her shoulders. She leaned into him, fitting naturally against his side. After a bit of adjusting, Beth rested her head against his shoulder and her hand on his leg. It felt good, not good like earlier tonight but comfortable and warm. Wanted.

Loved

Daryl let his eyes close for just a second to enjoy the moment and this feeling. Being loved, he found, was intoxicating. Even if they did this everyday for the rest of their lives he was sure it still wouldn't be enough. She exhaled nestling closer to him as he squeezed her tighter against him. Together they sat staring out at the quiet fields and and the peaceful night.

Beth had been busy cooking all day. Her hair pinned up into a bun on her head, she wore a sleeveless light blue sundress as she stood in her garden barefoot and examining the tomatoes. It was Sunday and by his estimation a solid two weeks since everything had gone to shit. In the Greene household, however, it was the Lord's Day, and after the brief service Hershel conducted that morning in the living room, Beth had declared that they were having a Sunday Supper. Daryl didn't much understand any of it, but it meant a lot to Beth so he stood there with his hands folded and his head bowed out of respect for her more than God himself.

Since then, she'd been in the kitchen or out in her garden collecting whatever she needed to make dinner. He wanted to tell her that they should save their supplies, but they'd been saving and stockpiling long before most people knew anything was wrong. Not to mention that Beth was making everything from scratch…from what she was growing right here on the farm. Damn girl was amazing in most every way. Basket full of tomatoes, she waved to him as he felt a blush burst across his face. Ducking his head, he readjusted his crossbow before heading back toward the barn.

They had plenty of chickens and for tonight she'd asked him to slaughter one for dinner. Even across the field he could see the way her dress grazed her thighs, blowing gently in the breeze. It was enough to make his stomach clench and his heart race. Daryl smirked, figures he would find a woman that drove him to distraction right as the dead started walking.

Beth watched as Daryl disappeared into the barn from the window over the kitchen sink. In the warm sunlight she can could see the muscles on his arms flex. A blush creeped over the back of her neck as she remembered the way those arms felt wrapped around her the night before. Washing the tomatoes in the sink, her mind idly wandered to when she could find her way into them again. It made the space between her thighs ache. A shy smile came to Beth's face, it would figure that she would find a man who made her feel this way just as the dead came back to life.

The sun began to set in the western sky as Beth set the table. With Daryl's help she'd roasted a chicken using the smoker outside. The stove was useless with the gas lines down. Along with the chicken they were having potatoes roasted and smashed and fresh vegetables from her garden. It was a regular feast. They were all still alive, still together, and getting along better than most. They'd not left the farm since the run to Atlanta, there was no need. And Beth was grateful. She could only imagine how many more people had died since- herds of walkers roaming around, destroying everything in their path.

The back door opened and Daryl came inside going right to the sink and washing his hands. "You ready ?" He gave her a clipped nod and a grunt.

"Course I am." Beth's face burst into a smile. After a week of rest and medication, Annette was feeling well enough to get out of bed and had requested that she be brought down to the dining room to eat dinner with the family tonight. Daryl didn't miss the gathering wetness in the corners of Beth's eyes when she told him. She looked so hopeful how could he ever say no.

Even if he didn't care about Beth or her family, hauling Annette down the steps was no big deal. The woman weighed eighty pounds at most, God knows he carried heavier bucks more than twice as far. Lifting the wheelchair up, Daryl tilted her back transferring most of the weight toward him and away from Beth. It was awkward but not hard. Making it to the bottom of the stairs, they set Annette down gently as she smiled at Beth.

"Feels so good to get out of that room…" Beth nodded her own face spreading into a wide grin. Daryl wasn't stupid, he knew the situation with Annette was precarious and day to day at best. Keeping someone alive who was already so sick in this world wasn't going to be easy….in fact he thought it would be impossible. Eventually something would happen, it was law of averages at this point. Daryl sighed, his lips flicking into a downward turn. He hated to think that for Beth, seeing how much she loved her mama and the excellent care she took of her. Still, reality was reality and this arrangement with Annette couldn't last forever.

Beth took her mama and pushed her in where there was no chair at the table. She'd bathed her this afternoon, dressing her in clean clothes and combing her hair down straight. Hershel smiled at his wife as he went to her placing a kiss on her head. "You look wonderful my love." Annette beamed up at him for a moment, Daryl never seeing the woman look so happy. Whole damn family looked like something out of a Hallmark Movie right now and he had the sudden urge to leave. He didn't belong here with them. Should just take his dinner and eat out on the back steps.

But before he could act on those silly notions, Beth came to stand in front of him. Taking both of his hands in her own she squeezed as she smiled up at him. "Thank you for everything, Daryl." Damn this girl was always thanking him. Probably hadn't been thanked this much in his whole goddamn life.

"It's nothing." The words were grunted together but she heard him shaking her head.

"Not to me." Rocking up onto her toes she planted a small kiss at the corner of his mouth. Daryl felt his heart flutter and his face burn red. Sure they'd kissed way more than that, but this was the first time in front of her folks. And he couldn't help but to look over her shoulder and see Hershel staring back at him. There was no anger on his face, no disappointment, just a look of knowing. Quickly he averted his eyes back to Annette and Daryl let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. Beth was a grown woman but it still somehow mattered.

She guided him to the seat next to her, her mama and daddy sitting across from them, and Mazie on the floor at their feet. The food looked delicious and after everyone was served, Beth settled next to him; her fork in one hand her other coming to rest lightly on his left thigh. He tensed for a moment, wondering if Hershel would have something to say about it before relaxing as she stroked smooth circles with her thumb. Daryl suppressed the groan, she always knew just what he needed.

Dinner went smoothly, everyone including her mama commenting on how good everything tasted. Beth blushed as her eyes shown with gratitude, happy that for just one day everyone she cared about was happy and safe. As the sunset and the farmhouse darkened Beth lit a few candles, lightning flashing off in the distance. She'd made a blackberry cobbler for dinner, using the top rack of the smoker to get it bubbly and golden brown. Pouring cups of coffee for everyone she settled back into her chair, Daryl's hand coming to rest on the small of her back. Warmth radiated from his palm as her own hand found its place on his knee. She could get used to this.

Stories were shared mostly by Beth and her daddy about when she was a kid growing up on the farm. The time her and Maggie were fighting and they ended up in the duck pond. Shawn playing pranks on them both and getting a black eye for it in return. Annette put her two cents in where it was needed and Daryl mostly listening contributing a bit here or there about his own childhood; all very vague and very PG- just enough to keep the conversation going. Each time he did, Beth would give his leg a gentle squeeze knowing full and well there was so much more he didn't say.

It was late when they carried Annette back upstairs and Beth helped her mama into bed. The woman smiling up at her, both of them grateful to have an evening as just mother and daughter. Daryl left them like that, going back downstairs to clean up. Hershel had retreated to the porch as he stared out at his fields silently. There weren't many dishes from dinner, having cooked most everything outside as they had to now. But what little had been dirtied, Daryl now took to the sink and washed. The stove was down, the electricity too, but fortunately the farm had wells and because of their earlier measures to preserve their purity they were all still intact.

It was dark now, sometime after ten he guessed. Beth appeared at the bottom of the stairs; her hair coming undone and falling around her face. She looked tired but so happy and he wished he could bottle her, always being able to remember her just this way. Coming to him she wrapped her arms around his waist without a word. If the girl thanked him one more time he was going to tell her enough.

She didn't need to, though, everything she felt expressed by the way she squeezed his middle. Daryl, still not completely used to such attention, made a joke- anything so that she didn't notice the awkward tension in his posture- "Squeeze me any harder, girl, all that good foods gonna go to waste."

She loosened her arms with a giggle as she smiled up at him for the tenth time tonight. Melting just a bit, he rubbed her back with the pad of his thumb. "Gonna go walk the fences before it starts to rain."

Beth hummed her reply as she nodded looking around the now clean kitchen. This man was so special, he had no idea how much he meant to her. "Be careful out there."

Untangling himself from her arms he shouldered the crossbow. That was another thing, nobody had ever worried about him. He swallowed hard nodding before shutting the screen door silently behind him.

"You headed out to check the fences ?" He did it so much even Hershel had noticed. Daryl grunted in reply.

"Tryin' to walk the whole farm before storm comes…" Hershel nodded as he looked Daryl up and down, the younger man's eyes diverting to the ground.

"You're good for her. And she really cares for you… I can see that much." Daryl said a silent prayer for darkness, had there been any light he wouldn't have been able to hide the explosion of blush across his face. "Take care of her, Daryl." Hershel didn't wait for a reply as he got up and walked back in the house.

Should he go after him ? Make sure her daddy knew that he'd die before he let anything happen to Beth ? He was sure that words would fail him as they always did. He would just have to show the man, show him that nothing in this world meant more to him than Beth. She was his world now.

Beth sighed as she finally settled into bed. The candle on her dresser flickered and waned, almost completely burnt out. Her mama was asleep, content and resting peacefully after the best day in a long time. Steady rain started to pelt her bedroom window and a clap of thunder shook the pane glass. The back door clicked shut, and she breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Daryl was now safe inside the house. On the the floor, Mazie groaned and rolled over stretching out to cover the soft rug.

Her door cracked open a short time later, and Daryl slipped inside as he did every night, his crossbow in tow. Tonight he'd also fashioned a make shift raincoat from a tarp he found in the barn. Beth pushed herself up to her elbows as he went to the window as usual.

"Daryl…don't." He paused to look at her. "It's awful out there." The wind kicked up whipping the trees side to side, and even he had to agree that it didn't seem like the best idea. Should probably go down to the the porch, sight lines were terrible, but at least he wouldn't get struck by lightning. Just as he turned to go she caught his hand. "Stay here tonight…" Their eyes met. "With me."

His heart did a cartwheel. Even in the candlelight he saw the blush creep up her neck. He wanted to, god he wanted to . But he shouldn't…someone needed to keep watch.

As if reading his mind she rubbed the back of his knuckles. "Nothing's going to be out there tonight…" He took no more convincing. Shedding his crossbow and the tarp onto the floor he slipped off his shoes and tentatively settled himself next to her in bed. Him on top of the blankets, her underneath. They were acting as if they'd never touched each other before. Next to him, Beth squirmed around a bit trying to reach her arm around to the back.

"Something wrong ?" She winced a little biting down on her lower lip.

"Pulled something getting my mama out of the shower today…just a sore muscle is all." Daryl sat up as he motioned for her to do the same with a grunt.

"Want me rub it for you ?" It was innocent enough, she was clearly sore and also clearly unable to reach it herself. Still he blushed furiously at his own bold initiative. Not wanting to make it weird, Beth sat up and spun away from him eager to feel him caring for her the way she had cared for him.

He was gentle and tentative at first, not wanting to hurt her. But as the pressure increased, she couldn't help the moan that escaped from her lips. The sound traveled through Daryl's ears right down his spine and settled in his pelvis. He liked to make her feel good, liked taking care of her.

Her back had toned muscle like the rest of her, functionally fit from working the farm. His thumbs circled over a tight knot as she buried her face in a pillow to muffle her delight. If she kept crying out like that he was going to unload in his pants again. Feeling the heat start to build he slowed down his ministrations until his hands rested along her hips taking a deep breath to collect himself.

Had he known what she would ask next, he would have gladly continued all the way to soaking his pants like a horny teenager. "I can rub yours too…if you want." He froze in place any reply he could have possibly conjured up falling into the dark abyss of his past. He knew she'd already seen his back when he was unconscious but this was different, this he felt the need to explain. Feeling the spike in tension, Beth swallowed hard as she turned to look at him. "It's ok, Daryl. Never mind I…" Before she could finish he slid off the bed. The candle flickered low, casting the dimmest of light. Pacing back and forth finally stopping at the window he rested his forehead against the glass. Exhaling deeply, his arms folded across his chest. "Daryl ?" It was small and questioning, Beth clearly afraid that she'd crossed some invisible line.

"Just don't want you thinking less of me.." The words tripped over each other running together in a grunt . In a flash of lightning Beth saw his hunched shoulders and the way he hung his head. And it broke her heart.

Wordlessly she slid from bed, her button up cotton night shirt brushing against her bare thighs. Coming to stand right behind him she looped her arms under his from the back hugging herself to him. For his part, Daryl didn't jump at the contact and in this moment, with such a tender subject on the line, that was saying a lot. They stayed like that watching the rain pelt the window. Under her hands, she felt his heart pounding. Beth didn't know if she had the words to fix this and doubted she ever would. So, taking a chance, she felt her own heart begin to race as she pressed her lips gently against his back.

Daryl twitched at the contact, even through his clothing he felt the tenderness of the gesture. Slowly, she worked her way across his upper back kissing the scars that ran just under the fabric. His head was swimming and he felt dizzy; intoxicated on her and how she made him feel an understatement. Clearly out of his mind, his fingers reached down doing something he never imagined himself doing. Lifting the hem of his shirt, he pulled the material over his head the chill of the room causing goosebumps to bloom over his flesh.

Beth watched him carefully, her eyes widening in surprise. Despite removing his shirt and fully exposing himself to her he remained hunched and turned away. Slowly she placed a palm on his shoulder, her hand heavy and reassuring. She'd seen his back before and his brother's before that. So she didn't gasp, didn't flinch or sigh or offer any indication that she felt an ounce of pity for him. Because she didn't; what he'd survived in the past had made him into the man that she loved today. Running her fingers gently along the grooved skin, her lips followed as she kissed every scar. This was acceptance even without understanding, it was understanding without knowing, and it was love-unconditional and complete.

Daryl shivered, he couldn't help himself. The skin on his back was sensitive and her delicate touches struck every nerve. Eventually he relaxed and slumped against her. "Let's lay back down." Her voice was a whisper and all he could do was nod. So much anxiety had been wrapped into what just happened that once it was over he bottomed out. All the fight drained out of him, it felt like she carried him to bed. Nothing had changed. She wasn't offering her condolences, or trying to make him feel better. Wasn't apologizing for something she'd hadn't done, or looking at him like the small wounded child he actually was.

They were just still right here, in this moment. Together

As Daryl got situated in the pillows he saw that Beth was chewing her bottom lip, clearly nervous. "There's something I want you to see….and I don't want you to think I'm weird." He almost laughed, that was fucking impossible. Her fingers played with the top button of her shirt before she undid it and then the one after that and another after that. Daryl felt his pulse quicken as his breath hitched in his throat. Her night shirt fell around her waist material gathering there as she sat in front of him unwilling to meet his eyes.

He knew her breasts were small, having felt them already but seeing them was a bit different. She was tiny, more than tiny actually, with nothing more than a slight mound and a pink, hardened nipple. In the semi-darkness Daryl stared at her, never having seen anything like it before. He hadn't seen many naked women other than in a strip club or in the porn Merle liked to watch. Their breasts all huge and fake, disgusting if anyone was asking him although no one asked him. Merle and his friends always pushing the one they didn't want in his direction, and Daryl desperate to shut them up sitting there and tolerating the whole affair with gritted teeth.

Lightning flashed and he could see her shaking, undoubtedly afraid of what he was about to say. Hand coming to rest lightly on her thigh, he leaned forward hesitating for only a second before taking her right breast into his mouth as kissing it gently, sucking lightly on her nipple. Beth gasped loudly her entire body trembling as he moved to the other side giving it the same attention. At her waist she fisted the sheets around her her knuckles turning white. Daryl stopped for a moment, looking up at her face to see if this was what she wanted.

"Don't stop….please….don't stop." The muscles of her throat contracted, her voice coming out as a breathy whisper. Seeing her nearly paralyzed by the sensation of what he had just done, Daryl put an arm around her and guided her down to the bed laying next to him. Gathering her against him, he dipped his head and took her breast back into his mouth sucking, licking, and gently biting one of the most sensitive parts on her body. Beth gasped and groaned, digging her nails into his shoulders her long, graceful neck arched back into the pillows. It didn't take a genius to figure out that some douchebag had made fun of her for her small chest in the past. Daryl had no idea what he was doing, all he knew was that he loved making her feel good. And it was obvious that she felt good right now, her nails were about to draw blood on his arm but he could care less.

Beth felt her orgasm building as Daryl palmed one breast and sucked on the other. She'd dreamed of his moment while taking care of herself, and even in her wildest dreams she didn't think it would be this good. Pinching, rolling, sucking; he was driving her crazy as she twitched and moaned needing just a tiny bit more to push her over the edge.

"You're so pretty, Beth….so perfect, every part of you." That was it. Her spine stiffened as she moaned loudly into his chest, her body trembling with orgasm as she squeezed her thighs together. Daryl felt himself twitch and strain as he realized that he'd just made her cum by touching her breasts alone. Involuntarily he let out a groan of his own, feeling a confidence he'd never thought he would. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tightly to his bare chest as she rode out the last sparks of her high.

The tears came suddenly and without warning as a sob escaped her throat. She shuddered against him, nestling closer. Before long she was crying uncontrollably. If she wasn't tucking herself into him so tightly, Daryl might have thought that he had done something wrong. But the girl had all but glued herself to his side. Tightening his arms around her he brought a hand up to rest at the base of her scalp, massaging circles into her hair with his fingers.

"It's alright…" He had no idea why she was crying, but he did know that she wanted him to be here with her right now. To hold her and comfort her through whatever this was. Outside a low rumble of thunder as a new wave of rain poured down, tapping the roof loudly.

Through gasps and sobs she shook her head wanting to make sure that he understood how he'd just made her feel. "I…I never thought someone would touch me like that….make me feel like that."

Daryl had nothing to say and just tightened his grip as his fingers tangled in her hair. If he could go back in time he would beat the fuck out of the asshole who had made her feel like there was something wrong with her. This was Beth. It was impossible that she could ever be anything but perfect.

She lay boneless against him, letting herself surrender to his strong arms. Being cared for like this was something she'd never imagined. She loved it- loved him- and she wanted to show him just how much. Snaking her hand down between them she came to rest on his crotch. Daryl twitched at her contact exhaling deeply.

"Beth….you don't gotta." He didn't want her to feel obligated or pressured to return the favor, that's not what this was.

Big blue eyes looked up at him, "I want to." He studied her face for a moment before nodding slightly.

Adjusting his hips, he lifted himself up enough to pull his cargo pants down past his underwear assuming that it would be same as the night before. However, when she slipped her hand inside his underwear gathering his length in her palm he couldn't stop the moan that rolled out of his mouth.,

"Ahh…Ohhh." A squirt of pre-cum immediately shot out of him as she gathered the new found wetness and began to stoke up and down, stopping at the head each time and rubbing her thumb over the sensitive underside. Daryl pinched his eyes shut gritting his teeth so that he didn't go off right there. Pulling her against him tighter he dug his own short nails into her hip bracing himself against her.

Beth felt him twitch in her hand as his gasping breath blew the hair in her face. She loved how he made her feel and she really loved how she could completely unwind him. Stroking faster she felt him loop his legs into hers as he began to shake uncontrollably. His head dipped down as their foreheads met, shaky airy grunts filling the space between them. She increased the pace, to an almost frantic stroke wanting more than anything to feel him come apart in her hands.

A huge wave of heat rolled down Daryl's spine as he bucked his hips desperately, hot cum shooting out into her hand. His body stiffened against her as she continued to stoke him through his orgasm. Daryl jerked violently against her feeling a more intense pleasure than he ever had before. "Ohhh…" God, did this feel good.

Beth held him until he fully softened stroking him lightly watching as he came down from his high. When it was all over his underpants stuck to him, tacky and wet. Seeing this, Beth went to her dresser producing a towel. Feeling embarrassed for no reason at all, Daryl rolled off the bed, cleaning himself up before shedding them and pulling his pants back in their place. In bed, Beth had replaced her top and was now covered up once again. There was a moment when he thought maybe he should go down to his own room for tonight but the hopeful look in her eyes quickly dismissed that notion. Laying back down next to her they rearranged themselves. Coming to rest against his chest, Beth laid one hand on his chest moving her top leg so that it was nestled between his. Wrapping her up in his arm he squeezed her for a moment before relaxing back into the bed.

They were together. They were safe. He was loved- every last shameful part of him. It wasn't long before he felt her breathing drop off next to him. Closing his own eyes the words slipped out of his mouth, lost in a rumble of thunder.

"Love you, Beth. Love you so damn much."

TBC…

Alright that's enough sex and feelings for now. Thought about taking them all the way here but their innocence, even as adults, is appealing and I want to drag it out a bit more. Plus I have a bigger moment in mind for their first time, so don't hate !

Next chapter action resumes, yes Annette isn't long for this world and it's about to come to head

Rick and his tribe are also on the horizon, expect to see them and all their drama in two chapters.