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Out of the corner of his eye. Daryl immediately sat still.
It's not that he wasn't watching her already. Just making sure, she was part of his group, his family. Of course he was watching her, had nothing to do with the increased pulse in his chest whenever he looked at her.
They've been at Alexandria for a few weeks now, so far everything had been cozy and comfy. Actin' like the perfect white picket fence line suburbia. Absolutely fuckin' oblivious to what's happening outside the walls. And Daryl hated it.
He felt trapped, cornered with no way to escape. People looking down at him like he has no right to be here.
If it weren't for his new found family, he would have trekked it weeks ago.
But a certain pain in the ass blonde would have stopped him and would have told him straight to his face that he's an idiot. And he would have followed her back to the house with his tail between his legs. Ears glowing red.
After Grady, they gotten... close. Probably the best way that Daryl could describe it. Beth leaving that damned hospital with her family and him relieved the sitting ache in his chest. Having her close by made surviving so much easier.
He noticed, definitely noticed. The light touches, their gazes catching each other unknowingly. Whenever there was a decision made in the group, they looked to each other making their decision silently. It was as if they were never separated.
Only it felt stronger.
It left Daryl confused. All he wanted to was be beside Beth the whole time, wanting to hold her hand, and wanted her to join his hunts, which she did. And they were some of the best moments he had with her. Those moments they were on their own away from the group were some of the best memories. Even if they were starving to death in the heat of the sun.
He couldn't believe that Beth wanted to spend time with him. But he could tell Beth changed; she would always be there for her family no matter what. But like himself now, she enjoyed the silence. When it used to be Maggie she would lay against, now she moved closer to Daryl. It was him she now shared her secrets. It was him that that gave her strength.
But she wasn't alone in this, Daryl knows he changed too. All because of her. She was the reason he put his past away in flames. She was the reason he now kept going.
It's amazing how his life has suddenly turned on it's side all because of this fiery blonde that pushed her way into his heart.
So what's got him stopped in his tracks has him seething. Sitting on the porch of the house he shares with Rick, cleaning the rabbit the caught before sunrise. He watches out of the corner of his eye silently, that Aiden asshole walking as if he owns the fuckin' place down the street. With an easy grin on his easily punchable face. He struts straight past Daryl without even lookin. Straight towards Beth, sitting on her lonesome now that Maggie left after having their sisterly talk. Stringing her guitar someone left behind in the house.
Daryl watched, getting ready to step in necessary. He saw Beth look up towards him for a split-second as she took notice of the asshole. He knows Aiden wouldn't have noticed. But she knew Daryl saw the sly little smirk when she noticed he was looking. Little smartass, and Daryl released a half-smile himself. He knew she could handle him easily, she ain't the same timid girl anymore. Not for a long time.
But still, Daryl watched... closely.
Beth watched as he sat down next to her, like his done it a hundred times before. With the type of grin you would see on car sales person, over confident and not reaching his eyes. Knowing exactly that he would be able to get what he wants.
He did not like that one bit. He didn't realize that he placed a hand on the handle of his bow.
He couldn't hear what they were saying. Just watched closely as Beth plastered a smile on her face. He knew that smile, it was the type of one where it was only there just because of the type of person she is. Just polite, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was engaged and attentive and listening to his sales pitch. But that's all that was. He knew she wanted this over and done with as soon as possible.
Then he pulled something out of his pocket, wrapped up in black cloth. He inched closer to her on the wooden seat as he was showing her what he got. Beth kept her eye's on the cloth, her brows furrowed as he spoke. Then he pulled the cloth opened to reveal... from what Daryl could see from where he was sitting; String?
It was wrapped up in a ring, in small packaging and presented it to her like it was the greatest fucking gift ever. Daryl sat there stumped. What the hell was his game, giving Beth nothing but string.
But then she smiled.
Genuinely fucking smiled.
What the fuck?
She held the packet in her hands, looking down at whatever this string is like its pure fuckin' gold, and the asshole's smiling just as much. Like he won the fuckin' lottery.
Beth suddenly looked down and grabbed her guitar, placing it flat on her lap. Aiden quickly moved back on the seat so he didn't get hit (Daryl wishes he did) as he watched Beth loosen the turning knobs.
Ah, so it was guitar strings. Daryl remembered Beth mentioning them when she first started playing the old guitar. Daryl offered to get her some more but she turned it down, saying the strings were okay and didn't need changing right away. There are more important things that we need Daryl, she would say, because that's the type of person she was; self-sacrificing for the good of their family. But he wished she was a little more selfish. The Little asshole must of been listenin' to their conversation.
As she was halfway setting the new strings, Aiden lent in closer, sayin' something that once again that Daryl couldn't hear. And Beth turned her face toward him, muttered what looked like a thank you.
And then he put his hand on her arm.
What the fuck?
WHatthefuck?Whatthefuck?WHatthefuck?
He nearly got up and stormed over, ready to rip his arm off, away from her. Put a fuckin' bolt between his eyes and fuckin' growl at him to stay the fuck away.
But instead Daryl got up and shoved the door open. Throwing the cleaned rabbit in the sink, leaving it for whoever the fuck wants it and stormed back out. He didn't look their way, didn't fucking want too. But he could feel her cornflower blues following him down the street. With one hand wrapped around his crossbow and the other closed tight into a fist. He kept walking without thinking where he was going. Heart beating heavily against his chest.
In through the nose and out, just breathe. Just fuckin' breathe. He felt stupid, so stupid.
Ain't like she owed him nothin'.
Ain't like he had any claim.
But still, he headed towards the gate. Yanked it harder than necessary, startling Eugene who was on watch. Never even looked at Daryl sensing his mood the moment he noticed the hunter. He thought he heard someone calling his voice but he ignored the call and disappeared into the woods. But he didn't go far, not at first. The first thing he did was lean against a tree, keeping his eyes closed tight, taking deep steady breaths. Telling himself that they weren't tears in his eye's he could feel and the heavy weight against his chest was not heartbreak.
When he returned, it was late; Well after sunrise. The only people who were out were the ones on watch. No-one he knew and he was grateful for that, not interested in making chat right now. He made his way to Ricks place and snuck in quietly. The lights were off, telling him that everybody was asleep. Including Beth, who decided she was moving to Ricks place instead of Maggies. For what reason, he didn't know why. But he was secretly grateful for it, wanting to be closer to her. He told himself because they got used to being next to each other on the road, but deep down... he knew. Really fuckin' knew.
Probably not even 'ere. He said to himself, still raging at what happened this morning.
He noticed the smell of a recently put out candle, obviously someone just went to bed. So he kept quiet as he went up the stairs. learning where all the creaks were as soon as they got the place, and silently moved though the hallway. He walked by Beth's room, trying to ignore the door that he's snuck in to just to be with her some nights. It brought him comfort, sometimes just being separated by a single wall was not enough.
But as he was about to past, he heard it, quiet sniffling coming from her room. She must have heard him because the sniffling suddenly stopped as he did. He stood and looked at the door. Waiting in the silence for even the slightest sound.
He didn't realize at first but he moved forward and opened the door slowly.
Silently walking into Beth's room, seeing nothing but the moonlight shining upon the girl in bed from her large open window, blowing in a late breeze. She released another sniffle and he realized she was fast asleep.
She must of fell asleep cryin'.
At what, he didn't know. She was more than happy with Aiden this morning with the stupid gift, what would she be upset for? It wasn't as if she just had her heart fuckin' ripped out from her chest.
"Stupid," he whispered to himself, again.
But then he noticed Beth knife.
Not her small one, this one was much bigger then what she had. But it still worked well with her slim arms and body. Both of them just on their own, they found an old camping store that wasn't entirely wiped out. And she was so happy when she found it, it could have been Christmas for her.
That was one of Daryl's favourite days. Those days when he could see that smile.
But the smile she showed Asshole was pretty big. Not one that Daryl gets to see. He's pretty sure, he's the only one that gets to see that one.
He's still fuckin' pissed off 'bout it tho'.
He looked at the knife, placed on the table right by her just in case something went down. Good girl. The moon reflecting at the top of the knife as it disappeared into the sheath.
And the sheath... was not looking good.
It was worn thin around the stitching, the strap hanging on the tethers. One more week or even one more sharpening and the knife could cut clean through it.
It could slip. It could fall. It could cut Beth and her pretty skin. It was dangerous.
Daryl released a quiet grunt. And silently left the room, not wanting to wake the girl. But he didn't turn toward his.
He walked back out the front door in the dark of the night towards the workshop shed. Filled with old tools, metals and metal sheets. Just in case if the walls collapse. Which it absolutely will 'cause when does anything not ever go fuckin' right.
So he was lucky to find exactly what he was looking for. A shoebox filled to the brim of old leathers. He took the box with him and made his way back to the house. But before he went upstairs, he snuck into the kitchen. Looking through all the cupboards because he knows Carol kept what his looking for in there somewhere. When he did find her sewing kit, he piled it on top of the shoebox, grabbed his crossbow and threw the strap across his chest and silently walked to his room. Careful not to drop anything.
He placed everything down in front of him. Picking up the leather and looking at it closely, he didn't know it's history but it was in good condition. A rich brown with a certain shine to it, could give it a good clean and it would look as good as new.
He's never made one before but it can't be too hard?
The first cut of leather went crooked.
Daryl swore under his breath, tossing the ripped strip of leather aside. He grabbed another piece, still the same colour and blend, running his fingers against the grain.
He hesitated for abit.
But then cut it anyway.
He worked well into the night, hours blurred together deep in concentration. Needle punching through the leather. Undoing it when it wasn't straight enough or it didn't feel right sitting on his own small blade. One that was similar to the size of Beth's.
By sunrise his fingertips felt raw, eyes heavy from exhaustion. He took notice of the sunlight just passing the trees and he knew he made a big mistake. Didn't even realize he stayed up the whole night. He looked down at his work so far and was secretly proud at what he's done. It's not finished yet, but he would be able to after watch tonight. He got up from the die desk he was sitting, bones stiff from not moving all night and dropped down on his bed. Not even covering himself in a blanket.
Hand instinctively reaching out towards the wall, where Beth was sleeping on the other side.
By the time he woke up, it was late morning. He could hear the sound of people talking outside the yard or working. He got up and checked the leather again, double checking it looked just as good in the daylight. He nodded to himself and made his way to the bathroom to relieve his business. And went off to find Rick or Carol to see what needed to be done.
He avoided Beth as much as he could. He mind keep flashing with Aiden's hand still resting on her arm and every time it did, it broke his heart a little more. But he had luck today on his side as Beth was busy herself. Seeing as her and Maggie grew up on a farm. Deanna asked them to help some of her population to create gardens and crops. And Beth agreed gladly, jumping straight into work. Doing what she knows and what her Daddy loved. So it was easy for Daryl to avoid her.
After the day was over and it came to dinner. Daryl quickly walked into the kitchen. Avoiding her bright eyes as she watched him closely as he grabbed dinner. His plans was to grab food and go straight to watch so he could once again, avoid unnecessary conversation with his family. Daryl knows they wouldn't even ask it there was anything going on, they all think that he's just being himself. But the one person who does know him like the back of her hand and who he wanted to avoid the most right now was the one person who walked in as he was walking out the back door. Calling his name.
"Daryl wait!"
"Got watch," he mumbled loud enough for her to hear. Walking away like the coward he is, terrified of what she was about to tell him.
After his shift was over, he made it back to his room. Keeping his ear open just in case he hears more sniffles or tears, but so far nothing.
He continued with his little project.
More stitching and pulling, the hours once again going by without him realizing. The smell of leather strong in his room. His fingers aching again, but he enjoyed the work. It sent his mind into a repeated mantra. Slip, pull, tug. Slip, pull, tug. While picturing Beth, thinking about the days when they were alone. Thinking about how much they changed to each other. Daryl just didn't see Beth as the girl that needed protecting anymore, no, it turned into something that he never knew. Something he didn't understand. He's had crushes before, all being turned down or teased the shit out of by Merle. But it was nothing like this... Beth to him was a comfort. A home he knew he could go back to when he needed to be safe. Where he could never judged, or abused. He trusted her with his past, knew what he came from. And she looked at him with blue fire in her eyes, telling him to never give up. And he silently promised her that never would...
"Daryl?"
Daryl nearly drove the needle into his thumb.
He jerked his head toward his door, finding Beth standing there with it wide open. Shorts and a singlet on revealing so much skin that he could fuckin' handle looking at her much longer. He quickly looked away and looked towards the windows.
Holy fuck, its sunrise again. How long was he in his fuckin' head for?
He turned towards the sheathe and saw it about done. Only a couple of stitches to go and little bit more of a clean. Then he could give it to her and be done with it.
"You mad at me?"
Her voice was quiet, almost as if she was scared of his answer. Her hair hung heavy over her shoulder and she had shadows under eyes that made Daryl worried. Wasn't she getting enough sleep?
"Nah," he muttered, turning back to the bench.
She didn't move from the door. "You've barely spoke to me in two days."
Silence stretched. He could feel her eye's on him again.
"Been workin'."
"I can see that," she whispered as she walked in to his room.
She stepped closer, her feet quiet as she walked in. But Daryl knew, Daryl knew exactly how she walks.
All quiet and a little trepid.
Especially when she was nervous.
"Did I do something?" she asked finally, her voice much quieter.
Daryl's jaw flexed. "No."
"Then why are you avoidin' me?"
"I ain't.."
"You are," her voice now quiet but serious.
He huffed out a breath, shoulders tight with unresolved... whatever this is. "Ain't avoidin' you. Just got stuff tha' needs doin'."
He could feel Beth moving closer, now right behind and looking at the work bench. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see her looking over his shoulder.
To the sheath.
Well here goes nothin'.
He hadn't meant for her to see it unfinished. But the way she was looking, it didn't look like she was bothered at all.
ln fact, she was quite curious.
"What's this?" She reached her fingers out and ran it along the leather. Her fingers tracing the patterns that he attempted to put into the sheath. Tried tracing flowers or somethin' like that.
Something that represented her.
He cleared his throat, suddenly feeling like he could smoke a full pack of cigarettes. " 't's for you." he whispered softly, keeping his eyes of her.
He heard the slight breath she released at his comment. "For me? Why?"
Heat crawled up the back of his neck "Your old one's shot."
Beth blinked "And you made me a new one?"
"Ain't finished. Yours needed replacing," he said quickly, voice rough. "That's all."
But Beth looked closely at Daryl and slightly lifted her eye. She could clearly see though all his bullshit but she wouldn't say a word about it. She studied the sheath closer, tracing the reinforced strap and the careful shaping where her thumb rested when she drew the knife.
He took it from her gently and picked up the needle and thread. With Beth watching over him closely, he threaded the last stitching and finally tied the last knot.
Now it was done.
He stood abruptly, picking up the the sheath and shoved it towards her before he could talk himself out of it.
"Here. Done now."
Beth stared at it closely, a smile appearing on her face. And he knew that smile, it definitely wasn't the one she gave to Aiden. It was better. It was brighter.
"Be right back," she placed the sheath back on to the bench and made her way out of Daryls room. Daryl watching her closely puzzled at what she's doing. But it wasn't for long as she returned just as quickly with her knife and her battered old sheath. She through the old one on the table the grabbed the new and slid it in. The blade slipped in smooth, locking secure with a quiet click when she fastened the strap.
It fit her hand perfectly when she drew it again. Like it had been built around her grip.
He breath hitched.
"You measured this?" She said, realization dawning. "You watched how I carried it?"
He released a small chuckle over that comment. Of course he did, whenever they went out together. He watched, he watched as she used her blade like she's tracing through water. How if it was too big, she would struggle with the weight and if it was too small it would get stuck. He needed to make the sheath just right, 'cause he never wanted anything to go wrong if they were stuck in the middle of a herd of Walkers potentially. And her blade got stuck or it sliced through and she got hurt.
Or worst. But he didn't want to think of that.
He couldn't.
But Daryl didn't any of that. Just scratched the back of his neck shyly. "Just... Noticed."
Beth's thumb continued tracing.
"You didn't have to do this," she said quietly. But watched her as she replaced her old one with the new on her belt. Fitting perfectly like a glove.
Daryl ignored the glee that went through as she accepted it. He hid... And also ignored, the real reason why he made it for her. Focusing on what he's been telling himself for two days. "You oughta have gear that actually works."
But Beth look at him deeply, past his steel eye's and straight past the wall he built for years. The she gave him his favorite smile and just rolled her eyes. Completely seeing the facade his putting up. "You know, for the record Daryl. Those strings didn't even fit anyway...and if you actually hung around and listened. You would have seen that I moved away from his touch instantly. I knew exactly what he was doin' the moment I saw noticed him walking."
At that comment, Daryl straightened up. Now ready to go find the asshole, wanting to put a bolt in his head again. He was also now kicking himself for walking away in anger. "If that asshole tried anythin'..."
"I said some unfavorable words that my Daddy would be ashamed of. But otherwise, I had it." She put a hand on his arm, that smartass smirk now sitting on her face. Now so close that she could feel her breath tickling his beard. "But I find it really cute just how jealous you are Daryl Dixon."
He stayed silent for a couple of seconds, getting his brain to rewire with how this just changed. He was no expecting any of this at all. Building up the strength of what he was about to do, he put his hand on her hip an moved closer slightly. "Ain't jealous, or cute."
All she was release a breathless laugh at his comment. "Yea, you keep tellin' yourself that."
Then the tables really turned, and Daryls pretty sure he ears starting ringing. Because Beth took the final step forward and placed her lips upon his. It took him a second to catch up on what's happening. Her lips felt soft against his dry ones. She kept so still as if she was waiting for him to pull away. But Daryl, didn't he reciprocated the kiss himself. Turning his head into the kiss and released a breath through his nose. It's was fuckin' fireworks and silence at the same time. He moved in deeper an she pushed herself. Taking advantage of every second of this they had.
But then it was over as soon as it begun. Daryl opened his eyes, just to see if she's dazed just as much as he was. And he couldn't take in the sight of her, strap hanging of her shoulder, hair dangling around her face an reflecting in the sunrise. She was beautiful, and she just kissed him.
"It's the best thing I've ever got Daryl. Thank you," she whispered into the silence between them.
"You're welcome." He felt like he couldn't say anymore, still stunned about what just happened and the tingling feeling left behind on his lips.
She moved back, but went to hold on to his hand. Not letting go, "C'mon, let's go get breakfast. I feel like heading out, goin' hunting with you. Test how sturdy this sheath really is." She started walking towards the door, pulling him along.
He released a small puff that was a laugh but never admit it. "Doubtin' my skills, Greene?"
She laughed not looking back towards him. "Oh I would never."
He grabbed his crossbow before they both headed through the door. Her hand still holding on tight to his. Relishing in the feelings he felt flowing through him. And just wondering when he could kiss her again.
He just knew one of them was gonna be in front of that asshole. He'll make sure of it.