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Strolling up to his parent’s house with his hands deep in his pockets Beau knew that he was in deep shit. He wasn't always known to make the best decisions ever... actually he made pretty bad ones most of the time. Like the time he tried hot wiring a car he found on the side of the road at the age of ten and simply set off the alarm and alerting a herd of walkers and putting not only his life in danger but his whole family's as they rushed to save him. But this time was different... this time he really was in for it. See... Beau was known around the camp for being a little more than just a little promiscuous. His mother had really laid into him the last time he was caught sneaking out of one of the other campers tents late at night and given a lengthy spiel about keeping his and his partner's sexual health and wellbeing in check. She told him about the dangers of STDs in details he never wanted to hear from a family member ever again. But most importantly of all she told him the dangers of pregnancy on the mother (if his partner was female, she didn’t judge) of a child. She told him his own birth story before really driving home the point by telling him Lori’s story.
He didn't listen however... he never did. Something he picked up from his old man’s side of the family if he was being honest with himself. He heard it a thousand times a day from his parents how he acted more and more like his father did as a child and his Uncle Merle as a teenager and that one day it would get him killed. But for now. He stood anxiously outside of their door knowing his dad was the only one he could turn to at this point. It's not that he didn't trust his mom. No he loved and respected her. But... he really just needed to hear some advice from his father. Beau never needed to knock on the door of their Alexandrian home. It wasn't required of him and never would be. But as he stood wringing his hands in front of his chest he suddenly felt so vulnerable that he almost felt like an outsider. “Ya just gonna stare at the door all day?" Daryl's voice rang out from behind startling Beau enough to jump almost out of his skin. The graying man chuckled patting Beau on the shoulder and giving it a firm squeeze. "Wha'? Did I sneak up on ya or som'tin?" Daryl asked patting Beau on the chest as he passed by walking into the garage like he had a million times before. However this time Beau felt like this time was different. He felt like this time maybe the last time he could ever be so welcomed into his childhood home.
Following his father into the garage Beau picked and bit at the side of his thumb. A nervous habit he picked up from his father. He was beginning to believe that his father was too busy working on his bike to notice his entrance let alone fretting. Secretly he hoped he could slip away and maybe try to come back another day. But he couldn’t be so lucky. Daryl was always on his A game with his kids. “So…” he started. Turing his baby blues to his son a mix of worry and confusion on his face. He was a man of few words but they always seemed to get their message across anyway. Taking a deep steadying breath Beau rubbed his arms looking anywhere but Daryl’s face as he began to talk. “So… y-ya remember last year when mom grounded me?” Beau started attempting to be as cryptic as possible. Maybe if his father could figure it out for himself he wouldn’t be so mad. That wasn’t the case however. Daryl simply cocked a brow. “Don’t really narrow much down, kid.” Daryl muttered wiping his oil covered hands on an old rag. Beau sighed shuffling his feet. He should’ve known there was no beating around the bush with his dad. “Dad…” he started meeting Daryl’s eyes seriously. “I’ve been seeing this girl… Gwen.” He said honestly, really regretting not saying anything to his father before now. Daryl smirked at his son, standing to his full height. “That lil’ flower girl you an’ Phoenix used ta run around with? One who used to bring Carol, yer momma and I flowers each time we sent ya on a run ‘cause the colors livened up the house?” The archer teased holding his hand to his hip insinuating the size they all used to be the last he noticed them together. Beau blushed a brilliant red glaring daggers at his father for bringing up such an embarrassing but honestly beautiful memory of his girlfriend. “Don’t get yer panties in a bunch. ‘M just messin’.” Daryl hummed ruffling Beau’s messy dirty blonde hair fondly. “Dad seriously.” Beau whined crossing his arms indignantly in a way that reminded the archer of a time not too long ago when his son would take that pouty stance to keep him from going on runs. It warmed his heart and made him smile fondly at the memory. “So wha’ ya want my permission ta settle down ‘er something?” Daryl teased smirking at his son. “‘Cause if it keeps ya from hounding all the girls ‘round town I might just need ta say yes.” Beau didn’t respond. No he stared deeply at his feet and that concerned his father. The teasing smirk fell from Daryl’s face, soon to be replaced with a scowl of concentration and worry. “Did ya get ‘er pregnant?” Daryl asked seriously.
Beau frowned shaking his head. “No.” He muttered meeting his father’s eyes once more. He knew he was in for it now. “I got Judith pregnant… she just told me last night.” Daryl’s expression was unreadable and at first Beau thought he might prefer it that way. But as the silence continued to deafen he suddenly felt as if the world constricted around him to exist only within the confines of the garage. “Dad?” Beau called out hesitantly pulling his father’s intense stare to his face. “Shut up.” Daryl growled, a harsh glare crossing his features. “Now yer gonna listen ta me an’ yer gonna listen damn good.” Daryl ordered harshly making the boy jump and nod instinctively. “Yer gonna make this right, one way ‘er another, Beau…” Daryl started pointing at his son’s chest, a fire burning deep within his own. One of guilt, for not knowing sooner. One of anger at himself for not being able to keep his son out of trouble. To keep the Dixon out of him. “Ya gotta tell Gwen bout the baby. Be honest with her it’ll be easier in the end. Ya gotta be there and provide fer yer kid and Judith every step of this process no matter what choices she makes.” Beau’s eyes flicked up to his father’s momentarily. “She wants to keep the baby. Kinda why I came…” his voice wavered in both anxiety and understanding his father wasn’t finished talking. Daryl nodded running a hand through his hair a deep sigh escaping his lips. “So…” Beau muttered feeling the tension start to leave the room. “Ya tell Rick yet?” Daryl asked crossing his arms across his chest. Beau tensed simply shaking his head. “Ah… no. Not yet.” He muttered rubbing his arm. “Good luck.” The archer muttered, a small smirk forming on the corner of his lips. Beau chuckled shuffling his feet. “Yer not gonna… help me out so he doesn’t ya know kill me?” He teased bumping his father’s shoulder with his own. “And let him kill me too? Sorry kid yer on yer own for that one.” Together they laughed Daryl wrapping his arm around Beau’s shoulders. “What about with Momma?” Beau chuckled smiling at Daryl. “I mean you’re the only one I’ve told so far.” Daryl sighed glancing towards the door that linked the garage and the house. “Fine… I’ll help ya with her… But not til I’m finished my run. Gotta think bout how we gotta break it to her.” He muttered walking over to grab a bag off the ground to load onto his bike. “Mind if I come with you?” Beau asked walking over and grabbing a second bag. “I can drive behind you! Hell I’ll even ride bitch!” Beau laughed as his dad shot him a nasty look. “I just want to start providing for Judith… ya know.” Daryl nodded chewing on his thumb for a moment. “Alrigh’. But when we come back we’re talking to yer Momma and yer talkin’ ta Rick.” Beau rolled his eyes but saluted mockingly. “Yes sir, grandpa sir.” He teased winking at his scowling father. “Beau…” Daryl warned shaking his head with a sigh. But deep inside the thought of a tiny tot excitedly screaming grandma and grandpa when they came to see them was a little exciting despite the circumstances.
