When Bethyl Happened

Chapter 2- Pushing You Away

~Daryl's POV~

 I woke up to find a sleeping Beth lying on top of me. She looked so peaceful and just perfect. Beth really was like an angel. What the hell am I thinking? I pushed Beth off of me and grabbed my crossbow. Beth was awake now and she let out a sleepy groan. I headed out the door and didn't acknowledge her. Time to go hunting, ALONE.

 Walking through the forest, I took in all of the sights and smells. The forest was like an old friend of mine. When I was a kid I spent more than fifty percent of my time just exploring or hunting in the woods. The woods helped me to clear my mind and it always felt like more of a home than my actual house. When my dad would get drunk or try to hit me, I went to the woods. It's kinda sad but, the woods had a bigger and better role in my childhood, then my dad did. My mom wasn't any better. The only person who ever really was there for me was my brother Merle. But, even he wasn't the best "role model". Merle spent half of his life behind bars. It's kinda hard to be there for your brother if you're locked up in jail.

But, now Beth is here. She treats me as if I am an equal to her. It's like that in her eyes, I am not a major screw up. I'm just a redneck with a cold heart. Why can't she see that? I know I am going to fail her. I won't be strong enough to protect her, just as I wasn't able to keep the prison safe from that son of a bitch with an eyepatch. At the thought of the prison I felt my chest tighten. Never again would I see those people I grew almost attatched to. This is why I don't grow attatched to people. I just lose them. Beth will be taken away from me, too. Just like she said, I will be the last man standing. Alone. I wouldn't let myself become attatched to Beth just to lose her.

A squirrel interrupted my thoughts and I aimed my crossbow. I then narrowed my eyes and shot. "Right through the head!" I congratulated myself. Even though one squirrel wasn't a banquet, I was used to it. Beth would have to get used to it too. Suddenly, my senses were alerted by a rustling sound from behind me. I spun around ready to lodge an arrow in whatever it was that made then noise. There is Beth standing there with a cute little smile. "Sorry! Didn't mean to scare ya," she said sheepishly.

"Be more careful, I could'be killed you for God's sake!" I spat out. The thought of me killing Beth horrified me more than any other thought in the world.

"Oh, ok. I will be more careful," Beth said with a shaky voice. I wanted to go up to her and hug her. Beth needed me to reassure her that she could never do anything wrong and I was sorry for yelling. I just get angry when I am scared. However, I couldn't do any of those things. I will not let Beth into my heart. That is something I can't afford to let happen.

I turned my back on her and walked over to the dead squirrel. I ripped the arrow out, careful not to damage it. The tip of the arrow was soaked in blood and I calmly wiped it off on my tattered jeans. A pair of blue eyes followed my every move. I pretended not to notice and got my knife out. I slowly began skinning the squirrel. This was a routine I was all to used to. Beth let out a little cough from behind me and I turned around. She looked revolted. "Ew," she stated.

"You have stabbed walkers in the brain and gotten blood splurged all over you. How the hell does this gross you out?" I asked in amusement. For a second I forgot about blocking her out.

"Yeah, but squirrels are cute. walkers are not so cute," she said with a giggle. Both walkers and squirrels have nothing on how cute she is. Shit, I have been having weird thoughts lately. I couldn't help but grin at her. Beth's whole face seemed to light up at my reaction to her. How could even a little thing like a smile from me make her so happy?

I finished up with the squirrel and listened to Beth talk about the most random of things for hours. We just walked around the woods looking for more game to eat. Even though we weren't having any luck, I found myself laughing to myself as she went on and on about her childhood. It felt good to know she was comfortable enough to share her past even if I wasn't. I just kept silent and listened.

"When I was about six, all I wanted was a pet wolf. I think I wanted it because it would make me feel safe and powerful. Plus have you seen them as puppies! My goodness there is nothing more adorable," Beth rambled on. She may have not been aware but I soaked in every word she spoke.

"Then in 3rd grade I had my first kiss. It was so-"

"All right let's head back," I informed her interrupting her story about her first kiss. For some reason the notion of her kissing someone made me pissed. "Ok, I will get a fire going in front of our cabin! We can cook squirrel for dinner." she chirped. Rolling my eyes I gave her just a grunt. I slung my bow over my shoulder and began heading back to our cabin. Beth trailed behind me humming some familar country tune.

I went into the cabin and grabbed a jar of moonshine. When I came back out, Beth was hard at work digging a hole to make a fire in. I took a swig and set down the bottle. "Ya need some help?" I asked gruffly. She stood up without answering and grabbed the alcohol. Beth brought it to her lips and swallowed. Her face scrunched up and she gave me a look that said, "I ain't no kid no more." Still without talking, Beth went back to the hole and started the fire. I just stood there and watched her hunched down figure slave over the fire. My Beth wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a brave, strong, hardworking, and a beautiful women. Beth was terrifying.

I grabbed the squirrel and brought it over to the now started fire. Together, we cooked and ate in silence. It wasn't a bad silence though. It was comfortable and peaceful. Yeah, I actually felt peaceful in the midst of an apocalypse and it was all because I was in the company of Beth. I tried so hard to push her away, but I can tell now that keeping Beth out of my heart isn't an option. "Hey Daryl?" I heard her ask in a soft voice.

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever loved someone?" Beth questioned, looking straight into my eyes. I found myself just staring at her. I was getting lost. Lost in her fair complexion and beautiful blue eyes. "Daryl?" she called out raising her eyebrows.

"No," I said flatly.

"Me neither. I mean I have had boyfriends, but never been in love. Does romance and love like that even exist?"

"I don't know because I have never had it either. Love I mean. Not from my parents or a girl," I said gazing deep into the woods.

"That's not true. I mean maybe your parents didn't care about you, but I do. I love you. Don't forget that," she murmered. I knew she meant friendship love, but something in me sort of hoped she meant it in another way. "I love you too, Beth." With that she leaped up and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm so glad I ended up with you. You can protect me. I know it. You make me feel safe and happy," Beth told me. She seemed so content. Of course since she was ok, I was ok. "We are gonna survive this, Beth. I know we are."

"I know," came her soft reply and with that she pulled away from my grasp. I felt so much colder now that her body wasn't flush against mine. "I think it's about time to go inside," she added. I gave her a nod and we put out the fire. I watched Beth walk into the cabin, but I stayed outside for a few minutes just watching the world until I heard her call my name. When I entered the cabin I realized, this was home. Sure, we would have to leave it in the next couple of days when a walker herd comes by. But, wherever Beth was, that was my home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have to say writing Daryl's POV was much harder than Beth's. It was still so much fun to write though. So, I am still sticking to posting one chapter every Saturday. Sorry if they are short, but I will try to lengthen them. Comment and vote! I would love suggestions! See ya next Saturday.♡♡♥♥