Follow You Down - Bethyl Fanfiction

Best Rider in the West

The approaching footsteps had Daryl's eyes narrow in annoyance. He had been awake for a little while, light reflecting off the hard ground floor combined with the ache of his chest bringing him back to consciousness. It also brought him back to the youngest Greene still sleeping against his shoulder, hair a mess on his pillow and mouth slightly open. Daryl damned the apocalypse for taking away the ability to preserve the image of Beth sleeping peacefully in his bed.

The footsteps were coming down the stairs and Daryl could tell it was Carol coming to force him to start the day. A slight panic swept over him, realising what she would see as she entered his cell. He knew what she would think and that no amount of explanation could deter Carol's stubbornness once she decides she's right. The archer only had seconds to react. He reached for the unused blanket and threw it over Beth's form, head to toe. But it was still too obvious, it was clearly someone. Daryl gritted his teeth through the pain and rolled towards Beth, onto his side so his body faced the wall, covering her with himself. He could feel her shift and wake at the sudden intrusion of space, but if he said anything Carol would hear. Beth was so warm against his body, her legs moving against his and her face buried in his neck. He moved his hand between their bodies up to her face and pressed one finger against her soft lips, praying she understood. Mercifully she stopped moving instantly and he could feel the lack of breath from her as she held it to stay extra still. The only movement was her own gentle touch against his wounds, he could tell she was worrying about  him, but there was no time for that.

"Hey Pookie, time to get up." Carols voice said kindly from the doorway. Daryl let out a low grunt as a response, trying to show a reluctance to move without having to move and look at her. "None of that, you. You need to get up so I can take you with me, I've got laundry to do."
"I ain't doin' no laundry, woman." Daryl mumbled groggily, not moving. "Leave me be."
There was a pause and Daryl feared Carol was approaching him and would spot the form under the blanket beneath him.
"... Fine. Have a lie in, but I'll be back after sorting breakfast and then you won't have a choice Mr Dixon." Daryl grunted again and waited for her footsteps to leave the cell and head to the dining area. That was too close.

-

Beth's sudden awakening left her panicked. Her brain jumped straight in to action at the feeling of being trapped and she moved her legs against the force on top of her. But then her eyes focused on the stitched up chest in front of her and the large hand that headed for her mouth and by the time Daryl's finger touched her lips, she was still, not even taking a breath. Memories from the night before drenched over her and Beth remembered where she had ended up just before falling asleep. She was glad her face was out of sight so the archer wouldn't see the redness of her cheeks as she hid in his neck, body pressed tightly against his. Then she heard Carol. Listening to their short conversation, Beth felt a pang of jealousy to the thought of Carol getting to spend her whole day with Daryl. But then she remembered she had just spent the whole night in his arms and the jealousy faded to a simmer.

The race back to her cell after carol left was unceremonious and fast. She climbed over the archer and gave him a quick but panicked smile, ducking out of the cell while pulling her hair into a tight pony, not even bothering to do her braids. Luckily, it seemed Carol was the only one up so far so Beth scooted into her cell undetected and quickly got dressed. Another day of working with the horses in what looked to be an even hotter sun than the day before. Beth decided on just a light tank top with her jeans and boots. At least her top half might stay a little cooler.

She waited in her cell for the rest of the group to get up before leaving and heading to the dining area where people were already eating the oatmeal that Carol had ready to go in bowls. Beth focused on her oatmeal as she headed to the table resided by her sister, father and Glenn, all talking about the heat of course. Once seated and eating small bites, Beth's eyes lifted from the table to scan the room, searching for Daryl. He was sat in his wheelchair a couple of tables away, he had a slumped tired look to him, but his eyes were bright and alert and were on Beth before hers were on him. She felt her cheeks pink and gave him a small smile before looking back to her cereal, focusing on finishing it as quickly as possible. She would have to keep up appearances, nobody needed to know about the night before. Once she had finished Beth told Hershel she would meet him outside and rose from her seat, handing her bowl back to Carol with thanks.
"Sleep well?" She asked in her chirpy voice. Beth's breath caught in her throat and looked at Carols eyes, but found no intent or malice there. She didn't know.
"Yeah thanks, best in a while."

Beth headed over to Daryl's table to keep up the routine and said hello to everyone, hand on his shoulder as usual and asked how he was feeling. He gave her his usual grunt and she squeezed his shoulder twice before letting go and leaving to find the horses. Horses were simple, and didn't ask questions. She could let herself concentrate when she was with them and not focus on the feeling of Daryl holding her like she was his only concern in the world.

-

Daryl was certain he was going to lose his mind if he watched Carol fold one more bedsheet. She had set him near one of the windows but it was too high for him to see anything but the clear sky. Her conversation often repeated after spending so much time with her, but unlike with Beth, it grated him a little after a while. It was mid afternoon when Daryl finally spoke up.
"Can't stand it in here. Gonna walk out soon." He threatened in his low gravelly voice.
Carol stopped folding clothes and eyed his frustration.
"Go on then. I won't pick you up when you rip yourself open." She said bluntly. He gave her an honest look of desperation.
"I ain't been outside in ages. Just for a bit." He asked, though it came out as more of a demand. Carol contemplated the sheets in her hands for a while before sighing.
"You won't complain when we are out there, that's the deal."
"Fine."

The sunlight was blinding to a man stuck inside for so long. Daryl brought a hand over his eyes as Carol wheeled him into the courtyard. The heat was formidable but the air was fresh and the breeze was glorious on his skin. Some folks from the other cell were watching as Carol wheeled him around the yard, Daryl realising that would be the first time they would have seen him since he came in looking half dead. Hell, they probably assumed he was. 
"Where to, Pookie?" Eyes now adjusted to the light, all he could focus on were the trees beyond the fences. His heart ached to be in the forest again.
"The fence. Not the outside ones, I know, but the inside ones?" Daryl amended quickly, knowing she wouldn't allow him that close to freedom. Apparently it would be to close to walkers with a semi-open wound.

Carol turned the chair and wheeled him across the courtyard to the inner fence that separated the yard from the farm. As usual Hershel and Rick were building yet another new element to their paradise despite the heat of the day, which had Daryl starting to sweat already. The sheds and stables covered much of his view to the fence line, with him being sat down and all. He wished he could see the bottom of the trees. He looked back to see Carol chatting with one of the new people he hadn't bothered getting to know yet. She was facing away from him chatting away happily to the man.

Daryl took a careful but deep breath and pushed up. He knew he could stand and walk a couple of paces at least, but with the heat beating down on him, the archer already felt his weakened legs shake a little as he straightened up. He took a step forwards and reached to hold onto the fence, sharp eyes finding the bottom half of the trees and what lay beyond the sheds. It turned out to be where Beth had been exhausting herself day in, day out with the horses. He watched her gallop in large circles that followed the line of the fence where there were walkers, growling a gnashing their teeth together. She was frowning with concentration as she built up the horses tolerance by riding past them over and over. Daryl could see the careful movements of Beth's core and legs as she worked and understood why it took so much of her energy. 

On her third loop, Beth looked up at the prison and spotted him standing there. One of her infamous smiles spread over the blonde's face and she redirected her horse to ride up to meet him. On approach Daryl was struck by her appearance; skin pink from the sun and a sheen of sweat that caused her to glisten in ways that made his core heat up with impure thoughts.
"You're out! And you're standin'!"She said breathlessly, jumping down to the floor with ease. She looked up at him with her large blue eyes and nothing but unadulterated joy. Her fingers ducked through the chain link over his, closing over his knuckles. He couldn't help but smile back as she stuck her hand in his chest and pulled his heart out and claimed it as her own. Daryl could actually feel it detaching from his arteries. And he let it. Willingly.
"Had to visit the best rider in the west." Beth laughed as she cut away all remaining attachments of his heart from his body and held it in her small hands before him. Daryl had never seen anything so beautiful.

Crickey that was longer than usual! It was hard to fit it all in! but what a joy to write. I love jumping into Daryl's mind to create such fun imagery. Any way, you know how this works, let me know what you think! See you next time!