Spiced Molasses

Chapter 24

Daryl stayed very still despite the overwhelming urge to bolt and run away. Beth was still breathing evenly, relaxed in his arms, leading him to conclude that she was still asleep. And while she slumbered she would remain unaware of the state Daryl had found himself in. Resisting the desire to hiss a steady stream of curse words, he slowly eased away from her, careful not to jostle Beth too much.

Beth rolled her shoulders and murmured, freezing Daryl. She didn't stir more than that and Daryl released the breath he had been holding. He was probably over reacting. His body's response was completely normal but he'd rather get stabbed again than have Beth be aware of it. Half the fear stemmed from not knowing how she'd react to it. He couldn't handle her embarrassment; that would be too awful to stomach. But he didn't want to know if she was curious either. Daryl didn't want to be an experiment.

He managed to escape the bed without disturbing Beth and made a quick dash to the shower. The TV was still on but that didn't mean Merle was awake. Regardless, if he didn't want Beth seeing him than Merle was further down on the list.

The cold water cleared his head and tamed his wild heart. The evidence was stacking up against him. Try as he might, he couldn't pretend that he wasn't drawn to Beth. If it was as simple a thing as him being attracted to her as a man was to a woman, he could live with that. He was used to denying himself things he wanted after all. But it was more complicated than that. Beth was beautiful to be sure but it wasn't her physicality that awoke something in Daryl. After everything she had been through, she was still good and kind, and Jesus Christ, when she smiled at him he could feel it in his heart.

In his haste he realised he had forgotten clothes. He put a hand on the door frame and sighed. She was doing his head in. Daryl wrapped the towel around his hips and hoped Beth was still dead to the world. He had no such luck.

"What time is it?" she mumbled sleepily, eyes still closed.

"Still early," Daryl informed her gravelly. "Go back to sleep."

Beth murmured something incoherent into the sheets before stretching her body. Her eyes fluttered open and Daryl could pin point the exact moment her brain caught up with what her eyes were seeing.

"I just need to grab clothes," he explained quickly, the back of his neck growing hot. He wished she would look away. His awkwardness didn't seem to be contagious unfortunately. If she wasn't still half asleep maybe she would have been more subtle but she seemed shocked to see him half naked. Her blue eyes were a little too wide otherwise.

He had to turn and present his back to her to grab his stuff and it made his shoulders tight with discomfort. But Daryl didn't hear any gasp of pity this time. When he shifted around Beth was more composed.

"Go on and get changed. I won't peak." Beth rolled over in the bed so that he could maintain his illusion of privacy. Maybe she was teasing him because of his request for it last night but her tone was too carefully controlled to be considered bantering.

Her shoulders were bare and for once she looked like she was wound as tightly as him. Daryl felt ridiculous for not wanting Beth looking at his body. He was in good shape, he wasn't old, but he felt a familiar sense of shame. It was easy with a nameless stranger but he cared about Beth. He wasn't a fool; he was too scarred up for someone as young and beautiful to be attracted too. She had allowed him to kiss her but that was a thank you. A thank you that may have gotten out of hand but he wasn't going to let it interfere with her protection.

When he was dressed, Daryl cleared his throat. "He's gonna assume some stuff, gonna say some offensive shit probably, try not to pay it too much mind."

Beth's mouth twisted into a wry smile. "I think I can handle it, Daryl."

He was being stupid. Beth had dealt with everything his 'friends' had thrown at her and she hadn't faltered yet. But he was on edge and feeling particularly protective. Of her and himself.