Welcome to All That Remains, an AU The Walking Dead, open world RPG site.
Our story is based loosely on the TV show, with a few canon characters still alive that died in the show.
We are a brand new community that is in need for members to fill many available canon roles in order to advance our plot.
Our plot takes place sometime after season five, but is AU partially in the fact that this is the story of what would've
happened had they not found Alexandria.
We welcome anyone to join and build a community based off of The Walking Dead fandom!
If you are considering joining us, please read up on our plot and rules first to inform yourself about the
role playing of this site! Quick links to the important information of this site can be found below this welcome
text. Thank you, and please enjoy your visit!
There has been an update in staff members.
I want to welcome the newest addition to the team, Aimless!
After some discussion it has been decided it would be best for her to be the Co-Administrator and
help me run the place. As co-admin she will help me with the functioning of the site, advertise, and
accept & approve of new members! Thank you for accepting the position Aimless!
Change is coming, and All That Remains is going to be revived better than it was before!
If you haven't read the thread I've posted yet, please do so now! Boards will be cleaned up,
inactive accounts will be sorted through, and abandoned canons will reopen. A new skin has been added
courtesy of Aimless! Also, a big THANK YOU to all of my loyal members! I can't do it without you!
There has been an update in staff members.
I want to welcome my newest addition to the team, Pip!
She is here to help me run the place by accepting applications,
updating lists, making sure content on the site is PG13, advertising,
and answering questions! Thank you for accepting the position, Pip!
Thank you to everyone who has showed interest thus far in the site.
I am currently trying to build a community, and I intend to fill the open
staff positions by active and trustworthy members of the site eventually.
Thank you, and happy role playing!
-- Anna (Daryl)
Daryl searched the cabinets of the old home looking for a frying pan to cook up the rabbit Beth had caught for them earlier, in their little walk in the woods. Outside there was already a fire going that they had started in a fire pit they had discovered in the back yard, much to his surprise, as he was glad he wouldn't have to dig a pit in the dirt with his own hands. Finally finding a pan, he grabbed it and quietly walked out the back door. He didn't want to alert anyone that they were back, and outside. He still needed more time alone with her.
Outside it was completely black out, street lights had stopped working a long time ago, but he thought it was better this way. You could see every star glittered across the pitch black sky. It was chilly though, but it was what could be expected for the winter months in Virginia, and he was surprised the weather was actually as mild as it has been. He shivered as he watched his breath leave his body with every exhale he took. Daryl knew it'd be warmer by the fire though, so he didn't think too much of it and kept walking into the back yard.
At the fire Beth sat with a sweater wrapped around her, staring at the burning logs. She looked cold, and for a second Daryl felt the urge to go over by her and wrap his arms around her and warm her up himself. Immediately he felt weird about having such thoughts, he wasn't used to feeling this way, and never thought he'd start feeling this way about Beth. But there had to be something that was special about her, he thought as he stared at his crossbow that lay across her lap loaded. He had left it there with her for protection while he searched the house for something to cook the rabbit in. It was only Beth that Daryl could see himself lending his crossbow to for protection, even if it was just for a little bit.
He walked up beside her and sat down, setting down the frying pan between them. "Ain't gonna be no fancy stove top cooking, but close to it." He said with a slight laugh. "Once this fire dies down a bit, we'll set this frying pan on top the logs, and cook over the embers." Daryl said, and then grabbed his knife out of the ground. He grabbed their rabbit that was also near by his knife, it wouldn't be too long before it's body went stiff from death. He'd need to get this thing skinned, gutted, and remove the bones soon.
"Ready?" He asked Beth because he knew butchering an animal wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it was a very necessary skill to have. Especially now, with the world gone to hell, there weren't grocery stores where you could buy meat anymore. If you wanted to eat meat, you had to do everything yourself, even if it seemed a little barbaric at first. Perhaps it was just another sign of him being protective over her, but Daryl was going to make sure he taught her all that he knew, this girl was going to be just as good of a survivor as him someday.
Even with the fire Beth was cold but she blamed tiredness and the fact that they hadn't eaten all that well for a long time. She had never been a big eater but her body felt the effects of their poor nutrition jut like everybody else. Things were getting better though and in the last couple of weeks they had eaten more. Beth felt a little guilty for not sharing the rabbit with the others. Obviously the one rabbit wouldn't be enough for all of them, but she still felt bad. She made a mental note to save something for Judith and Carl, at least.
She shifted slightly balancing the crossbow on her lap. Daryl was inside looking for something to cook the rabbit on and he had left his weapon with her. Beth felt a sense of pride knowing that he trusted her with one of his most precious possessions, but she tried not to make a big deal out of it. It was really dark but the fire allowed Beth to see across the yard in case there was a threat. It was also very quiet apart from the logs burning and her own breathing. It reminded her of other camps in the woods awhile back. Memories that made her smile.
The sound of backdoor opening forced Beth back to the present and she glanced at Daryl as he came out of the house and towards her. She couldn't help but smile right away and she lifted a hand up to touched her lips. Her fingertips lingered there as she remembered the taste of his lips against her and how much she wished he would kiss her again and all the time.
Silly girl.
Beth cleared her throat and thanked inwardly for the fire since Daryl wouldn't able to see her face was red because she was thinking about him and his arms and lips and not because of the fire. He sat down next to her with the frying pan between them. It definitely wasn't a fancy stove but when did they have one? Before the turn Beth's life was already simple. It was nice and she had everything she needed but it was a simple farm life.
"I think it'll work just fine," Beth stated, touching the handle of the pan briefly before settling her hand over the bow again.
Daryl grabbed his knife and the rabbit Beth's smile grew bigger. She was looking forward to his next lesson. Skinning and gutting the animal would be gross but she only cared that they were still together after their long day. He didn't seem tired of her company. "I'm ready, Mr Dixon." She smirked and shifted to sit on her knees. "Thanks for teaching me all of this. I really had a great day," Beth said quietly, her gaze moving from the rabbit to him.
"This last part is a bit gross I'm not going to lie," she giggled. "But it's exciting too. I wish we had more rabbits...to share with the others though. Besides, imagine their faces learning I hunted dinner?" Beth added grinning widely and letting out another giggle.
He smirked, raising an eyebrow and looking up from the rabbit in his hands to Beth. "Ya know, I don't start to feel old until you call me that." He joked to her. Although he found it really endearing and kind of enjoyed it when Beth called him that, it also served as a huge reminder to him of their age difference. He was more than 20 years older than she was, and he was trying hard to not let that thought get to him. The human population was significantly low, did age even matter anymore in relationships? It's not like he was stealing her away from her peers, because there were none around.
Daryl listened to her continue talking, and it did kind of make him feel bad that they had only caught food for themselves, too. Although their group scavenge of the area they had come back with some non perishable food items and thankfully bottles of water. "Tell ya what." He said, before he was going to start showing her how to skin the rabbit. "Since you did so good today, we can go out and do a lot of hunting and you can be the one to bring back food for everyone." He said smiling at Beth, knowing how much she'd like that.
"Anyways, skinning is simple. Gross - but easy enough." Daryl went on, continuing to teach her more of his knowledge. Picking up the rabbit from it's legs as it dangled lifelessly in his grasp. Making sure his hunting knife was sharp, he spoke more, "You start with their hind legs. Cut openings on each one, break their legs at the knees and pop the legs through the openings you cut on their skin. Once you got that you can hold onto their legs and pull the skin back, and continue to pull it back - cutting when you need to, until you get it's entire pelt to the head. Then cut off the head and discard it, that simple." He said while working on the rabbit in front of Beth as an example. He continued to stare back up at Beth while he worked on the skinning, worried that it'd gross her out. Although he could admit the whole process seemed a bit barbaric, it was a necessary evil to survival and hunting.
Once he got the skin removed of the animal he continued his lecture. "When it looks like this, then all we have to do is cut a slit down the stomach, remove it's organs and then it's bones. After that, it'll be all prepared for us to cut it up for cooking." He said, staring down at the piece of meat he was working on in his lap. Daryl worked carefully by the light of the fire, doing his best to prepare the animal for them to eat, hoping Beth was paying close attention to what he was doing. It was possible that this skill would be vital to her survival one day.
Once the meat was cleaned of the bones and anything else unnecessary he put the slab of meat in the frying pan, sat the pan on his lap, and looked back up at her. The fire hadn't quite yet burned down to embers, so they'd have a little while to debrief what he just done before they started cooking the meat. "Any questions? Think you'll be able to do this the next time we come back from hunting?" He asked, curious as to how she felt about all of this.
Beth shook her head at him. Daryl was too focused on things that didn't matter anymore. He wasn't old at all. They were both adults and even before the turn their age wouldn't matter. It wouldn't be conventional, but the world was filled with unconventional people and relationships. It wouldn't have mattered then and it didn't matter now and she would fight anyone who said otherwise.
She reached out and grabbed his arm, squeezing it gently. "Hey," she said softly, her voice just above a whisper. "You're not old at all. And I like very much the way you are." Beth smiled sheepishly and pulled her hand back. She wished she could show him that she didn't care how old he was. That she only cared about him and how he felt when they were together. She wanted to be bold and kiss him again, but their house and their family were just close by. It was dark, but Beth was sure there was someone on watch. She was certain they would have their sights set on the street and the woods and not at them, but she didn't want to risk. Beth knew Daryl wasn't ready for the hundred questions some members of their family would toss on them.
Glenn would be insufferable with the teasing. Beth just knew that and Maggie...Beth couldn't imagine Maggie's reaction. Hopefully, her sister wouldn't be too annoying and would just give them some be safe speech. That would be embarrassing enough. Beth stared at him imagining how it would be like to be able to show what she felt whatever it was that she felt in front of everybody. She wasn't Maggie and Daryl wasn't Glenn so they wouldn't be like them at all, but it'd be nice if she could just convey how important Daryl was to her without people staring or asking questions.
The wind blowing and making the flames to go a little higher forced her attention away from Daryl for a moment and she shifted on her seat again. She lowered the crossbow setting in front of her and turned back to Daryl as he said they could go out together soon and hunt for the entire group. Beth beamed at him. "Thank you. I'd love that, Daryl."
He went on to show her how the skinning worked in detail and Beth wrinkled her nose as she steeled herself for the process. She had seen it being done before just not this close. She knew it was necessary. It was a matter of survival. It just wasn't pretty. She paid close attention to everything and did her best not to look grossed out. She probably failed when he was removing the poor animal's insides but overall Beth thought she did good. Her stomach didn't upset her once.
"Maybe?" she answered his question with a small smile. She wasn't sure she would do everything at his pace. He was clearly used to skinning animals and she had never done it before in her life. "You might have to show it to me once more," Beth said honestly. "I mean, I'll have hunted several animals to feed our group," she added with a cheeky grin. "There's going to be plenty for the practice." Beth laughed at her silliness. She was hoping to catch a few though. They would need a good number in order to feed their big family.
Beth looked from Daryl to the fire and then to the sky. It was such a lovely night. "I wish we could sleep outside. I miss it, you know?" Beth wasn't sure he would get what she meant but she had missed their camps when they were together. A little fire and their alarm system. No closed walls. It was simple. Or maybe she just missed sleeping next to him.
Daryl listened to Beth ramble about missing sleeping outside, and knew immediately the underlying meaning behind her words. He missed it too, even if he wouldn't admit it. He missed being out in the wilderness protecting her, and watching over her as she slept even if he got barely any sleep himself. Daryl just missed Beth being close around him, and he simply couldn't deny it anymore than he had grown fond of her, and even was attracted to her.
"But I am old, though." He said in response to her previous comment reassuring him that she still liked him despite their difference in age. Daryl started cutting up the rabbit in the frying pan in pieces small enough for cooking, while he continued to think things over in his head. It was like there was always a constant debate inside of him. There was the part of him that felt he should just man up and openly be with Beth like he knew he desired, and then there was the other part that made him feel like it was wrong.
"I'm just so confused. About everything." He finally admitted to Beth, suddenly feeling uncomfortably vulnerable. He stared down into the pan containing their food, unable to look her in the eyes once again, thinking about the kiss they shared. He liked it, he couldn't deny that, but he couldn't fight the feeling that he should feel wrong about it. "Your daddy would probably want to kick my ass if he saw me kissing his little girl like that." He confessed, referencing their moment in the woods.
"Let's just stop beating around the bush, Beth. I care about you - but at the same time it doesn't feel right, ya know?" He continued, still trying to make sense of everything and decide whether he was in the right or the wrong of things. "I always complained about things being like a damn romance novel, but man, look at the situation I'm in now." Daryl finished with a slight laugh, hoping to bring a lighter tone to the conversation to ease how awkward he was feeling. He'd never been a very communicative person, and that made finding the right words in this conversation hard for him, and he hoped Beth could bear with him through this.
Daryl wasn't the only one confused. Beth had been struggling with her growing affection for Daryl for a while. She had liked other boys before. She had liked Jimmy in a childish way. He was her first boyfriend, but she had never been in love with him. Zach was like her teenager romance. He was kind to her and it was obvious he liked her more than she liked him. She was sad he died; she had liked him and he made things felt almost normal for a while, but Beth wasn't in love with him either. Daryl caught her by surprise and so did the feelings she began to develop for him. He was not a boy for starters. She was also confused because she never felt what she was feeling for him for anyone before.
It scared her for quiet sometime that she was alone in these feelings and that he would just pushed her away. Beth was prepared to only be his friend if that was what he wanted, but at the same time, she felt like he did care about her and they would be wasting a chance of happiness in a world full of darkness. Beth didn't think they should waste love. It was such a rare thing these days: to find someone to live for and not just things to survive for.
"You're not old, Daryl." Beth shook her head and let out a frustrated sigh. "You're just older and my daddy knew the kind of man you are. He knew if he could trust his little girl to anyone you would be the best choice." Beth truly believed that. Hershel wouldn't care about the age difference. He wouldn't have cared about who Daryl was before the world turned. He would only care about the kind of man Daryl was now and Hershel knew Daryl was willing to put everybody's safety over his own. Daryl was selfless and good and Hershel knew that.
"And yeah maybe he would give you a hard time for kissing me," Beth said with a low chuckle that was mix of amusement and sadness since her daddy wasn't around to give them a hard time. "He would give me a hard time. He did the same with Glenn when he found out Maggie was interested in him and it turned out Glenn became part of our family. Daddy accepted Glenn because he knew he was good man and he would be good to Maggie. Daddy only wanted us girls to be happy and I'm happy when I'm with you. That's all that matters."
Beth didn't like the idea that Daryl felt there was something wrong about them being together. There was nothing wrong about it. She was old enough to die fighting walkers to protect herself and her family. She was old enough to decide the person she wanted to be with. "I don't want you to do something you think is wrong," she told Daryl shifted again so she could look him in the eye. "If liking me or kissing me makes you uncomfortable then we can be just friends. But don't waste a chance of being with someone who likes you," Beth wanted to tell him she was falling in love but that would probably freak him out more than he already was. Beth had to ease Daryl into things. "And wants to be with you too because you are afraid of what others will think. This family loves you and they will still love you whether you kiss me again or not. They want you to be happy too."
Beth was quiet for a few moments. She glanced from Daryl to the fire and chewed on her lip. "You deserve love. I think I do. I'm not sure where this," she waved a finger between them. "Is leading but I think we should find out. I think it's worthy...what we feel for each other. I think we deserve this chance."
"I don't want to be just friends." Daryl said quietly staring into the fire. It was true too, how could he ever be just friends with her after everything that happened between them and everything he was feeling now? He didn't think he'd ever be able to watch her be with some other young, inexperienced boy ever again either, Daryl honestly felt like he was her best match. He was well equipped enough to keep her safe and teach her how to survive, and no one else could come along and know her the way that he did either.
The thing he didn't know though was how their group would react to their relationship. Although Daryl wasn't much of a person who cared what others thought of him and the things he did, he still didn't want to get a negative reaction from it. Even though he knew what Beth was saying was true that their family would want whatever made them both happy, he knew there would be a chance at least that some of them would silently disapprove, like Carol and Merle, though he knew his brother would be more vocal about it, if not then at least tease him about it like the jealous bastard he was.
Though as he looked over at Beth, he could start to feel himself caring less about anything other than her. This was his Beth. His angel, the one who kept him believing in good things still existing even after losing everything they had known once again with the downfall of the prison. She truly brought out the best in him, like he did in her. It was so perfect, and felt so right, how could it possibly be wrong? She had made him feel alive for the longest of time, instead of just trying to survive in a world of despair.
"I want you to be mine." He admitted quietly, carefully thinking about his words. It shouldn't be so complicated, it should have been simple. They belonged together even if it wasn't the most conventional of relationships, and he really wished Hershel was alive as it would help him feel better about everything if he got the same blessing from him to be with his daughter, as Glenn had gotten from the old man for being with Maggie. He would always keep Beth safe and cared for, and hoped if there was an afterlife that her father could see that within him.
Daryl looked back at the fire as it died down to burning embers, he'd finally be able to get some food cooking for them. It had been such a long day and he was starving. He placed the frying pan on top the logs, positioning it so it'd be able to cook all the meat evenly. "I'm starving, let's get this rabbit cooking." He said, hoping to change the conversation once again. Daryl knew though that Beth wouldn't let it end on that note and would probably press him further about defining their relationship. He was okay with that though, he needed someone to take lead for a change as she was better and more experienced about this kind of stuff than he was.
Daryl wanted to know the way she wanted things to be and go along with her wishes. It was better that way, especially with her being younger than him. He didn't want to feel like he was taking advantage of her with his age, and if she was the one initiating things then at least he could feel better about that. Beth meant the world to him, it was something he'd always known deep down, and Daryl wanted whatever made her happy.
tags:Beth Greene notes: I hope that wasn't too bad. My muse has been suffering a bit. >.<
Beth was watching the fire, mimicking Daryl and she let out a small smile when she heard those words. She drew in a deep breath but didn't say a word. She didn't want to interrupt him. Beth knew how it was hard for him to open up about things, especially his feelings and what he was doing right now acknowledging the shift in their relationship was something major. It was also a big step for him to admit that he wanted something. That he was putting his feelings first in a way.
She played with a loose string from the hole in her jeans and nodded her head lightly to show him she was listening. Her heart was beating so fast that Beth felt like she was going to pass out. She was anxious to hear everything he had to say even if it was just a few words. Daryl wasn't the type for long speeches.
Beth blinked and snapped her eyes at Daryl when he said he wanted her to be his. She was beaming. She was sure of that and she bit her lip trying to hold back the urge to jump on his arms and just kiss him right now. Her shoulders relaxed and she let out a sigh as she looked at him. "Daryl..." it came out in a whisper and he was going on about being starving which made her chuckle.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want you to starve," she said lightly watching as he placed the flying pan on the logs. She was quiet for a few moments, just staring at the rabbit. Beth knew Daryl was hoping for a change of subject. She knew him well and their day had been very intense as it was. There had been confessions and kisses and training. It was a long day, emotionally and physically. They both needed time to unwind.
And Beth tried to play cool. He wanted her and she was cool and she would give him some time, but suddenly Beth was moving to knee in front of him and taking his head between her hands. "I'm yours already, Daryl Dixon." she breathed and cupping his face with her both hands she leaned in to give him a chaste kiss on the lips.
When Beth pulled back, her eyes fluttering open and she smiled heartily at him. "I've been just waiting for you..." Beth added and then giggled as she turned around looking for room between his legs to sit close to him, with her back to his chest. Knowing Daryl, Beth knew she was probably in for another battle as this was all very public even if no one was watching - probably anyway - but he was worthy it.
"And I'm starving too," she said happily and glanced at the pan and the rabbit. "It's smelling good already," Beth finished with a sigh.
His heart raced as he heard Beth say those words, and confess that she was just waiting for him. So his suspicions were true about her, she was feeling some way about him and he wasn't imagining it. Never in Daryl's life did he ever form this kind of a bond with a woman, and he felt like he had lived for quite a while already. Who would have ever thought that the apocalypse would be bringing some form of happiness for him. His heart pounded harder as he felt Beth's lips press against his briefly then leave, he could feel himself dying to kiss her as passionately as he did back in the woods, but held back. If he started kissing her this time he didn't know if he'd be able to fight his desire to stop kissing her.
Suddenly Beth sat in between his legs with her back against his chest. Daryl wrapped his arms around her mid-section and gave her a slight hug. Almost as if guided by instinct, Daryl leaned his head down and started kissing her neck, letting go of a small moan as he did so. He broke away from her neck and could feel himself breathing harder, and his breaths were uneven. He rested his chin on top of her head, and with shaking arms he used his knife to turn over the rabbit in the pan so it could cook evenly on the other side.
Daryl sighed as he slowly calmed down from his excitement. He honestly did not care if anyone was on watch now and had witnessed these moments between them, it felt way too good to just push her away. Their group would have to find out about them one way or another anyways, and now was as good as ever. "What are we going to tell the others... you know, about us?" He asked her, although he wasn't particularly against their group knowing about them, he also didn't quite exactly know how to bring it up either. He was sure too that just giving her affection in front of the others would be surprising and raise a lot of questions if it was out of the blue.
He continued to let their rabbit cook as he grabbed her hands with each of his and intertwined their fingers. The more he let himself fall into these feelings, the less everything else mattered including their age difference and what others might think about him for being with her. Beth was way more than just a friend to him, and she probably had been more for a long time. Daryl wasn't going to fight his feelings anymore, even if he had a hard time accepting them and knowing what to do with them. "Oh, Beth..." He sighed, staring up at the stars in the night sky. He didn't quite know how it was possible to find happiness anymore in this world of despair, or how he was lucky enough to be granted with it. Good things usually happened to other people, not him.
Beth felt Daryl's arms around her and she relaxed against his chest. It brought her immense relief to know he was okay with this. It was a small step but she could tell they were going forward. It was new and knowing Daryl and herself Beth was willing to take baby steps as long as they could have these moments and just enjoy each other's company. She closed her eyes briefly sighing a little. It was crazy how they had been fighting and suddenly they got to this point.
Crazy and wonderful.
Beth felt Daryl breathed against the bare skin of her neck and she drew in a deep breath as he began to kiss her. Her stomach clenched and a shiver prickled over her skin. Beth tilted her head exposing her neck further while she covered one of the hands he had around her. "Daryl..." his name came out in a moan and if he didn't stop she wouldn't be responsible for her actions and be damned whoever was on watch because she didn't care about the audience at this point.
She let out a soft giggle when Daryl broke away from her neck. She missed his lips already but she played cool and just leaned back, resting her head against him. "I almost forgot I'm starving," Beth said sweetly and shifted a little on his embrace so she could look at him. Beth thought about his question about the group for a moment.
"I don't care whether they know or not," Beth said honestly. Her voice was even and she rubbed circles against his hand with her thumb. "You like your privacy and everybody knows and respect that. I don't want to hide but you're not Glenn and I'm not Maggie so we don't need to be so public about us." She wasn't sure she was making much sense but Beth didn't want to put Daryl in the spotlight. She knew he didn't appreciate that. She was okay with them keeping a low profile and not calling much attention to what was happening between them.
"It's not like we need to call for a group meeting," she said lightly. "I can tell Maggie and Glenn and maybe you can tell Rick If you want...I don't know about Merle. I suppose that one is going to be interesting." Beth chewed on her lip nervously. She didn't want to make a big deal out of it. She should probably just walk in during a group meal and announce Daryl and her were together and then just walk out.
"You might need to tell Carol..." Beth added on albeit hesitantly. She always knew Carol and Daryl were close but in all honesty she didn't know the extent of their relationship. "The rest will figure out eventually. It's not of their business anyway. I only care about what we want and if we are happy." It might be selfish of her, but no one gave them any satisfaction when they pursued relationships and she didn't think she had to include anyone on her personal decisions.
Beth shrugged and then turned her head to place a soft kiss on Daryl's neck. "And I'm happy," she breathed smiling against his skin. "And hungry," she added nibbling his skin a little and giggling.
"I don't want to hide." He whispered, giving Beth's hand a squeeze. It was true though, he had spent his life too introverted and never allowed anyone to get close to him before. It has caused him more damage and pain, the very thing he was trying to shield himself against. For the first time in his life he wanted to open his heart up and let himself feel like he never had before. Doing that meant to let go of everything and let things fall into place as they should. There was no place for hiding to be involved in any of that, why should he and Beth have to hide what developed between them because of their separation of the group together?
He listened to her talk about the people he could let know about their relationship. Daryl knew Rick probably wouldn't scold him for being with such a younger girl as his friend always supported his decisions and vice versa, and as far as Merle went, he knew his brother wouldn't care either way though he suspected to at least get some shit from him. However, the thought of Carol finding out about his new relationship status made him tense. Although there were never any confessed feelings between the two, he knew the friendship between him ad her was strong, and Carol admired him and cared for him though he didn't know if there was more to it. Daryl cared for her too, but it wasn't in the same way that he cared for Beth after everything, and he hoped that that was the case for Carol too.
Daryl stood up from where he was sitting with Beth and took the frying pan off the fire and added more logs to it to make the fire pick up once again. He sat down beside her once again, cutting up the rabbit in smaller, bite sized pieces for them with his pocket knife. "I'm starving." He proclaimed once again as he picked up a piece of rabbit off of the pan and chewed on the piece in his mouth, not caring about how hot it was from just being pulled off the fire.
He ate a few pieces then glanced over at her, staring at her face which was illuminated by the fire. "You're so beautiful." He admitted, saying the first thing that came to his mind when he looked at her. Everything just seemed so crazy right now that he didn't know what to say. The first real relationship he ever had in his life was with the girl sitting in front of him right now, the same girl that he ignored for weeks and then exchanged harsh words with the last time they talked. He wasn't quite sure how they went from that, to confessing their feelings for each other as they were doing now.
"I want to know you, Beth. I mean, I know you... but I don't know you." Daryl said hoping that wouldn't sound confusing. Sure they knew who each other were, how they thought, and what they believed, but Daryl was more or less talking about the very tiny, insignificant details about each other than no one really ever gets to know except for themselves. Even something so small and insignificant like her favorite color was something he'd appreciate. So this was what it was like to fall for someone? Was this really happening right now?
"We won't hide it then," Beth told him beaming. She felt to happy right now that it was almost overwhelming. After everything they had gone through. After the time on the road when they barely spoke to each other and now getting here where she could hold him and kiss him anytime she wanted...that was everything. Beth had never felt so happy in her entire time and she wished her parents could be alive to see it.
She twisted on his arms and placed a quick kiss on his lips before she moved to take the pan off the fire. "I want to apologize in advance for anything that Maggie or Glenn may say once they are in on this," she remarked lightly. She could picture Maggie giving Daryl a hard time just for kicks and Glenn trying to pull a Hershel. "You know how they can be," Beth flashed him an apologetic smile.
Beth watched as cut the rabbit in small pieces and once he was done she picked a piece and took a bite. She waited primly even with her hands and she chewed the meat slowly, moaning softly. "It taste so good, Daryl." Beth closed her eyes and sighed. She was starving too. She continued to eat quietly and when Daryl said she was beautiful Beth lifted her eyes and met his gaze. She felt like he was taking her breath away.
Swiftly, Beth sit on her knees and leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips. Sometimes it was hard to convey in words how much Daryl meant to her and how especial he made her feel when he said things like that to her or when he simply looked her. Perhaps Beth was a silly girl falling in love but she didn't care one bit. She didn't mind being silly or foolish. She just cared about this man and how happy he made her feel.
Beth pulled back from the kiss and stared at him as he went on to say he wanted to get to know her. She giggled a little. "I know what you mean..." she told him and the sat back and took another small bite of her rabbit meant. "What do you want to know?" she asked him. Sometimes Beth felt like whoever she was before he came to the farm didn't matter anymore. That girl was gone. That girl never graduated high school. That girl never had a prom and she would never go to college and study music, and Beth was okay with that.
She had lost so much. She had lost a future and right now Beth didn't care one bit because if she had graduated and if she had gone to college and if the world hadn't ended she wouldn't be right here with Daryl and Beth didn't think she could give this up. She didn't want to.
"I tossed Maggie birth control pills in the pond at the farm once," Beth said laughing at the memory of that day. Beth was afraid of losing Maggie. She didn't want Maggie to grow up. "She was very upset and daddy caught us so I had to lie." Beth never liked the idea of lying to her parents, but it was necessary sometimes. It had been a silly life anyway. No harm down...except to Maggie's pills. "I like yellow and it was my mom who taught me to play the piano," she added and shrugged, unsure what else to say.
Beth also wanted to know more about Daryl but she had a glimpse of his childhood back at the moonshine shack and she didn't think he would be willing to share more. "Do you have a favorite color or I don't know... band?"
Daryl smirked to himself thinking about Glenn and Maggie's reaction to their new relationship. He didn't mind though, thinking about Maggie's teasing, and Glenn's concern. In fact, it made him happy knowing there were people other than him that were looking out for Beth, and had good intentions for her as well.
Staring into the flickering light of the fire, Daryl quietly listened to Beth talk about herself, taking mental note of everything that she said. It didn't surprise him that with her bright, and warm personality that yellow would be her favorite color. He smiled as he thought about it, the next time he was in the woods by himself he was going to pick her a bunch of yellow flowers and surprise her with them. She deserved them, especially for putting up with him, and actually liking who he was. Never in a million years could he have imagined someone wanting to put up with him, especially not someone like Beth. Beth deserved so much better than him, but yet here she was.
"Ya know, I miss you playing piano and singing..." He admitted, and it was the truth. That night in the funeral home when he listened to her play piano and sing was the first time he ever realized how much he cared about her. It was then in that very moment that his feelings for her had started, and maybe they could have explored that further during the time it was not for what took place afterward. Daryl had always hated that she had been taken from him, there was so much lost time to make up for.
When it was his turn to talk, Daryl looked up at the night sky thinking about his answers. It was such simple questions, but they were things he hadn't even thought about since the apocalypse started. "I've always liked the color blue." He admitted, though her question about his favorite band was a hard one. Even before the apocalypse that would have been a hard question for him. "As for a favorite band, I ain't really got one. I like oldies rock music though, ya know, stuff from like the 60's and 70's. They used to play that stuff in the bar that Merle and I used to go to all the time. Used to get drunk to that music and play pool and darts." He said, reminiscing on thoughts that were almost long forgotten.
The fire was starting to burn down again, but there was no point to adding more wood to it. They'd be going in and going to sleep soon, but he wanted to keep up their mindless small talk for as long as he could. These were the only moments worth living for in life anymore. "So you a cat or a dog person?" He asked, thinking about which one he was. "Don't get me wrong, I like cats... but I've always wanted a dog my whole life but never got to have one. Dad never let us have a dog growing up, guess he never wanted us boys to have any joy in our lives at all. Merle brought home this stray dog once, and our old man kicked it right back out on the streets." Daryl said, frowning at the memory. His fondness of dogs was probably the reason he tried taking in the stray they had found back at the funeral home.
"Who knows, maybe once we get settled in somewhere permanently we can get a dog?" He asked Beth, wondering how she'd feel about the idea. Coming from a farm, he knew there was a good possibility that she was just as much of an animal lover that he was. Daryl extended his arm and held Beth's hand again, sighing softly. He did not want this moment to end.
Beth tilted her head and let out a shy smile when Daryl said he missed her playing the piano and singing. Her thoughts went back to the funeral home and how he surprised her then when he asked her to keep singing. She had always assumed her singing annoyed him but it became clear that her assumption had been wrong or maybe somewhere over the course of their time together things changed.
"I miss singing and playing the piano," she said quietly, her gaze moving from the fire back to him. "I miss doing that for you, especially now that I know my singing doesn't annoy you," Beth added with a cheeky grin. She chuckled quietly and shifted where she was sitting so she could lean her head against Daryl's shoulder.
Daryl liked blue and classic rock. That didn't surprise her at all. It suited him. She liked blue, his blue eyes but she kept that to herself for the time being. "Are you good at darts and pool?" Beth asked casually, just allowing the conversation to flow easily between them. "I'm not too bad at darts. Pool in the other hand..." her voice trailed off and she giggled remembering her terrible and short attempt at playing pool with friends in the past. "I might have actually wounded someone playing pool one time."
When Daryl asked her about cats and dogs Beth pursed her lips thinking about it. She liked animals. It was hard growing up in a farm and not liking animals. She listened to him telling about the stray dog and how his father had kicked the poor thing out. If Beth could hate Daryl and Merle's father more she would. Based on the few things she knew about the man it was like he wasn't even human, but even a man like that couldn't break Daryl's spirit because against all odds Daryl grew up to become one of the best people she had ever known.
"I love cats and dogs and bunnies and horses," she admitted with a chuckle, but her face turned serious quickly as she thought about Daryl's words. Her heart was heavy for Daryl and his dog story and his wish to get a dog one day. Yes. They could have a dog. They could have everything he wanted and she would give him a Santa gift one day and even a pet pony if he wanted. Beth wanted to replace every bad memory he had of his past with a new one, a good one.
She took his hand and intertwined their fingers and brought their joined hand up so she could kiss his hand. "We should have a dog," she breathed against his skin after she kissed his hand. "Maybe Santa will bring you something this year," Beth said lightly and turned slightly to place a kiss on his neck. "And when we settle down we'll have to discuss sleeping arrangements," she added, cheeks flushed. Beth missed sleeping close to him. They didn't have to do anything other than sleep. This thing between them was only starting but she missed his solid presence close to her.
"If you want of course," Beth pulled back a little to look at him, feeling suddenly shy.
"Are you good at darts and pool?" Beth asked him, and Daryl laughed slightly hearing her talk about how she wasn't the best at pool. It seemed so much like her to end up accidentally hurting someone playing pool. "Yeah, good at both." Daryl said, "Better at the darts than pool though. It was just how I liked to unwind, drink a couple beers with the guys I used to hang out with, and play a few games. It was how I escaped my shitty life. My life was more shit back then than it is now. People looked at me like I was some redneck, white trash, hick; a menace to society - but now I have a purpose, I'm actually kinda useful now." Daryl sighed, thinking about his life, had society never ended he knew for sure him and Beth would not be a couple.
Daryl quiety listened to Beth talk about how maybe he'll get a dog for Christmas someday and couldn't help but to smile and feel excited at the thought. He had never got a Christmas present in his life before, and couldn't even imagine all the joy a dog would bring him. The dog could be his little hunting buddy.
When Beth placed a kiss on his neck he couldn't help but to groan a little. As soon as he did so he could feel his face burn up a little, embarrassed that he was showing her how much power she had over him. Before he had time to linger in his thoughts she mentioned their sleeping arrangements, causing his face to burn up even more. The thought of holding her body in his arms as they drifted off into sleep was so desirable and comforting to him.
"If you want of course." Beth finished, now starting to seem a little nervous herself as she looked into his eyes. Daryl could feel his heart beat a little harder, looking into her beautiful face. This was all too good to be true, how was it possible that she ever became his? Daryl didn't know when he was ever going to come down from that shock.
Daryl looked away from her, feeling nervous. "Of course I want that, Beth." He said, hoping like hell he wouldn't start shaking from all the awkward nervousness he was feeling. Emotions were never so strong to him before, and he didn't fathom anything could feel quite like this either. This was his first time for just about everything that he was experiencing with Beth. "You'll have to forgive me though, I don't know a thing about women, or how to be a.. a boyfriend."
He stammered slightly at the end of his sentence. That was what he was though, wasn't it? A boyfriend. It was something he had never been before and he hoped Beth could have patience with him when it came to this. Daryl secretly hoped he'd be better than the guys she dated before, although he'd never come out and tell her that himself. Beth made him feel so vulnerable, and made him question if he was really the tough man he thought himself to be all this time. Daryl wouldn't want it to be any other way though.
