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It is finally December 31st, and I cannot be more relieved that this year is over. There was so much I wish to detach from that I almost am eager to go to this party and completely forget the idea of time. Maybe it is just my need to drink, or the idea of being high.

But with my damp hair being difficult to style at the moment, and no clear idea when Daryl might come and pick me up. Leaving me to stay by at the ready, or at the very least. But I did make sure I had a whole plate of food, a sandwich and fires. As did Jarod, as we both knew what tonight entailed. Two different parties, but for once we're celebrating the same thing, the conclusion of the year.

Funny how far I've come, no part of me knew I'd be here. Surrounded by new people and a family more or less, and to make matters all the bit worse. I heard his damn pick up ring loudly as ever, and on that note, I booked it out the door. Saying goodbye and new years to my family, and a quick kiss to my little brother who was gobbling away at the ice cream my mother had given him.

It was seven o'clock, meaning more than enough prep time and everything to make the night worthwhile. Hard to believe it's the countdown, even harder to believe that I agreed to going with Daryl, guess this will be the first time in that regard as well...

Didn't even think about that either.

"Ya warm enough?" He asked my long flannel covered passed my hands and even my ass if I wanted it to. Instead, I rolled up the given portion and made the decent effort of a long-sleeved shirt underneath, we'd be near a fire anyway. So in that regard, I nodded, getting into the car and allowing him to drive on off to the overview of the town.

"Ya gonna hold out on what's got ya all smiley?" I chuckled into my hand that was resting on the window, how was I to just tell him that I was happy?
"Can't be excited?" Firing back had him scoff, but it sounded more as a gentle scratch to the throat as he flicked his cigarette. "And to think ya were gonna sit on in your room alone." My eyes were in the zone of squinting back towards him, just to anger him all the bit more.

He was easy to antagonize, especially now. When I had the upper hand.
"Invited to another party, I can just go to that one instead if you-"
"Nah nah nah, come on." 
Rolling my eyes as a car continued to zip on past the windy road, and I knew that we were getting close. However foggy that night may be, I knew this part fairly well. Even more so in the sheer brightness, considering we were still setting up.

"Hey! Princess, glad ya could make it." Barely parked and out of the car do I hear Merle just yelling out with his scratchy voice, almost sounded like he was in pain of talking. But he held up the enormous bag of some sort of narcotics that I just laughed and shook my head politely at.

I guess that was just my shrugging tactic in the midst of it all, but seeing the army of cars on our way in, did both the music and the yelling commence.
"I gotta check somethin' real quick, be right back." He pulled me closer so I made sure I heard it before walking off towards his brother, but I wasn't about to sit back and wait for him to return. Instead, did I see the given outline of both K&R running towards me now in a synchronized motion before tackling me. Not to the ground, I kept my balance well enough for that one. 
"Blake oh my god you're here...We were hoping you'd be here!" Rachel shouted, still over my shoulder. But the music was still drawing in closer than I thought to, and in that moment did they begin to drag me right off to where the bonfire was going to be placed.

"Yo, gonna help my brother. Find ya later?" I nodded, in the mist of being dragged closer and closer to the beginning light off in the corner. Knew he had things to take care of, but I was worried about what sort of narcotics some people might be taking.

The excessive pulling stopped when K&R was recognized by more people from school, they too saw me and we exchanged a quick handshake before the conversation began. Drinks were already out and about, along with the smell that was already lingering off their jackets ever so loudly.

"...And I was gonna call to see if you needed a ride." A quick tap on the shoulder had me turn around to hear Shawn's greeting, but it wasn't anything that started with 'hey' or 'hello' instead did it just render me under the bus because I had to tell him Daryl drove me here.

"You and Daryl huh?" He questioned, taking another sip of his beer. And there is no doubt in my mind that he was nursing it from the beginning of this, he was here with everyone else. Just like the last party, he was here to help. "How did you-"
"He's been coming to school, everyone's seeing that." Letting out the obvious hum, did I completely forget that I asked Daryl to do that.

He began to lead me away from the bonfire, going off to where the beer was posted and handed me one, seeing him open it was what calmed the voice screaming at me in the back of the head. And although I am giving Daryl a lot of credit for that night I was drugged, Shawn had gotten into a fight over it as well. Something tells me he is feeling a little bit offended by my chose, but he has someone he's trying to impress.

"Never asked where you ran off to." Letting my inhale being solely voiced by the teeth being blocked as they were previously gritting at how uncomfortable I felt right now, but relieving them with the cold beer was enough to prepare me for a response. "Went off to a park, everything's better now...Parents understand." He nodded, taking the bottle to his lips before swinging his back, this was a new level of uncomfortable.

"B?" I turned around, and even though the sun was setting on the horizon. I still made out the outline of Daryl coming on over, his nickname had me smile. But I continued to direct it to Shawn before moving along.

The arm around my waist was the clear indication that Shawn needed, and I was sorry for that one. But Daryl taking hold of my drink and sniffing it had me yank it on back into my hold. "Asshole," I muttered, making him laugh to the high heavens. 

All the way up towards the surrounding fire that was crackling and soaring into the now darkened sky, Daryl made the given round to greet everyone with a high five before settling down back with me, just with the added addition of beer in one hand.

*


Stories were told, laughs were shared. It was a good time all around, but the number of stares I've received from both K&R, along with Shawn was enough to have me drown out the entire right side of the bonfire. The way I was positioned, my body facing angularly to the opposite end anyhow. While Daryl too sat the same way, allowing to shield me from most of the stares. Just whenever I went to take a sip, or listen to what he had to say.

I'd see the peeking gaze of someone else, trying to bypass what we were talking about.

Once the weed had came and left, and my body had calmed down tremendously. Did I not bother about their stares, which probably don't even exist anymore due to the fact that nobody here is sober any longer.

The hour countdown commenced, and with that setter. Did Merle believe it was time to 'break out the heavy stuff' and at first I was confused, until Daryl leaned down beside my ear to talk directly on into it. "Wanna go to the truck?" My eyes were glued to the contents, but I nodded without realizing it. 
We weren't the only ones, some went off to the drinking station. And others were just around, it might be called a bonfire. But it wasn't the only attraction this place had to offer, just didn't notice them until now.


With my legs stumbling with being asleep, and the entirety of the weed having it's effect on me. Did Daryl have to keep his hold steady around my waist. Leading me to the safety of his truck, and just like the last time. Did I station myself underneath the stars, looking up as he sat himself comfortably down. 

"What'd Shawn have to say?" He fumbled on out, playing with his hands before looking at me. After the question was drawn out into the air, and I don't know why I chuckled. Thinking the vibration would feel different or odd when done a certain way, but more so because the conversation he and I had was one-sided.
"It hasn't been the same with him since he got arrested."
"Yeah, cause he likes ya..." My brows scrunched together, as I moved away from him to look him square in the face. "...Least he ain't no creep like Daniel..."

I gave up resisting his hold because once his arms opened up for me to just join into them. The familiar feeling of the jacket's smooth surface found it's way under my flannel as his hands just wrapped all around.

"I got an idea..." He mumbles, it's been probably a good few moments since we've spoken. And I was just allowing everything to sort itself out in my body, the fogginess was real and vivid. But his words were normally spoken, and my reaction as slow as it might have been, still worked with it. For the moment I looked on up and was about to speak. His lips crashed onto mine.

The awakening of both our drunken expressions had him shift the weight on back over his waist once more. Just returning to what we did at the lake just a few weeks ago, but this time was he cautious of keeping his hands anywhere else other than my waist, making sure to rock it back and forth.

Letting myself give us the moment of oxygen did I straighten out my back, but the moment I did, did I forget the factor that everyone was around us. Knowing and seeing exactly what we're doing, so in that instant did I hide on back down. 
But cooly enough, Daryl missed my hesitation in returning back for another kiss. The only difference in this segment, was his hands coming together at my center, unbuckling my belt for me.

It was just a clear second, and it was barely undone before I gripped both his hands to stop. "FIFTEEN MINUTES!!" I heard, fairly close so it was both our heads rising to snap in the direction of the yelling drunk. 
"Don't gotta worry, nobody comes over here...Less ya can't be quiet..." His subtle wink sent a chilly sensation right to my core, and he knew what he had enacted. Whether that was my smile or the glorious attempt that he moved back to removing my belt.

With my belt no longer in the picture, did he throw it a bit on over. My pants no longer fitting me correctly did he all but suddenly drift his hand down from my high stomach down to the outline of my panties.

And by the groan that he scoffed on out, he wrapped his single finger around the fabric. The power I hold in this phase did I go straight for the crook of his neck, needing to bypass the jacket the continued to make it all the more difficult.
Until he just slid it right on off.

But with it now off, did he push forward. And in turn, did that push me backward, having me now pinned down as he attacked the crook of my neck. Still stretching upwards my throng in an attempt to subdue me, and as much as I resisted the urge to moan. He knew, he remembered which spot was which. As he continued to suckle until this moan was achieved, then, before I could even form another crave. 

He dives right down my shirt, unbuttoning the smallest bit to reveal my cleavage. Sucking and nipping at my already swollen skin, and if there was anything I could do more pleasing. It was having my hands through his hair, pushing him into my being to continue.

"Daryl..." I mumbled out, it took multiple attempts to even form the solid word, and another few seconds for his to respond. "We..W-we have to st-...stop..." I mumbled out, no longer pushing him to myself. And that, in turn, had him look up, mid-kiss to see what had changed my mind. 

Careful not to crush me did he had his arms pinned down beside me about to ask the simple question of 'why?' and I was scared to answer. "I never...I n-n...N-never..." That's when his head fell down to my stomach, letting out a loud sigh. But once he rose on up, he didn't falter his position to smile. His mind was still rolling, but his eyes held the need to act pitiful.


Letting my head just back looking at the sky do I just giggle at the fact that he's flustered enough to say the least, and the next thing I so cleverly managed to come up with. Was wrapping my single leg around him as I flipped us over.
"Whatcha doin'? Don't think ya gotta do-" With my fingers just itching down to the zipper of his pants, as slowly as I could do I just open it. 
The clear path was there, and let my hand just reach on through to his boxers do I take his entire length in one grip. Rubbing down the shaft as slowly as I could, preparing him for what's to come. "You were saying?" I whisper so close to his ear, all while still keeping a steady rhythm. The sprat moment when I would increase the speed and slow it down, repeating this had his groaning for more.

And I knew just what to do.

Lowering myself back on down do I gain his attention, now with his length growing in response to my movements do I still feel confident enough in taking him on. So with wide open eyes do I look on up to him, just as his words were coming out. "What're ya-" That is when I took him in, going slow but still keeping a steady stroke with my lips on the rest of the length.

I'd get there soon. He just had to be patient.

He was having a hard time being quiet above me, wanting to groan, wanting to keep talking. But I was done with his way of words, telling me before that I wouldn't be able to keep it down. Yet here he is, struggling to keep it under wraps. 

So just when he thinks he has my ideas in order, do I go farther down. Letting it touch the back of my throat before removing myself from the entirety. "Fuck..." He managed to mumble, but my hot breath still lingered near his growing length making it continuing to twitch up and up. In response to that, do I allow my tongue to drag all the way up before swirling at the top.

But the way he was twisting and turning, moving his hips up in a movement meant he was close. And I was all but prepared to continue, until the voice popped back on up once more. "TEN...NINE....EIGHT...SEVEN...SIX...FIVE-" The yelling was completely cut off by Daryl's final groan as he finishes, shooting to the back of my throat as the people on the far side of the lot yelled 'happy new year!' it was just an echo, especially when his heavy breathing laid waste to any and all sounds.

"Happy New Year..." I chuckled, just falling on down beside him. Hiding my obvious laugh and smile as he tried to regain himself as quickly as he could. "Happy fuckin' new year Blake...Christ, what's gotten into ya?...Pullin' that shit."

Laying on my stomach beside him, while he just rested out with his arm behind his head. Looking at the stars like the first time he saw me. "So next time...I'll just leave you with blue-balls." He chuckled, shifting his gaze over to me as he still needed to level out his breathing. And the rate his heartbeat was going, gave me the bit of anxiety. So I reached into my pocket and lit a cigarette, opening a brand new pack because I had gotten antsy for this party.

Guess I was completely right.

"Got another one?" He questioned, and barely having the movement in mind to pull out another. Does he just take it from my mouth, making me laugh in sheer shook. "I'd put it away, before anyone comes over..." I warned, but he just blew out into the clear air. 

"Ain't nobody comin'...Why didn't ya tell me you're a virgin?" I pulled my hands over my ears as he said the final word, I hate that word. I hate being categorized because I haven't put myself out there in that sense.
"That's a fun conversation," I mumbled, letting the new cigarette bounce with my lips as I tried to light it. Having complete difficult because of the sudden wind. Just my luck. "How many beers have you had?"
"Not enough." I chuckled, but he still pushed the question, I didn't have that many. If anything I was more high than drunk at the moment, three beers can't put anyone over...

*

It wasn't the alarm that woke me, but the sudden array of birds beginning to chirp ever so high above my ear. Making dig closer into the warm hold that was beside me. And inspire the annoying sun blinding my right eye, I still managed to be comfortable. Wherever I am. "Ya up?" "Shhhh." I mumble, not bothering to open my eyes knowing they were burn the moment I do. 

The hand that slowly dragged my hair behind my ear tickled with each passing square inch made me shiver with content. I didn't want to move up from this position, not any bit of it. But his movement continued to make me push deeper to his hold, his reaction was to chuckle. Seeing as how his whole body hummed in the sight of it. 

"Gotta get ya home. Come on, up and at 'em." His pushy attitude and sudden voice change from groggy to fully wake were mind-boggling. How on earth did he manage to pull that one off? Without any sort of medication or relief...But then again, I don't think he had too many beers.

"...Or we can look what ya did last night, right before the clock struck 12." That's when I opened my eyes, the purity of his joke had me laugh and roll away from him. Rising to give the bit of distance as the entire night's memories rolled into my head.

Speaking of head-

"You sound like you didn't enjoy yourself." I laughed, taking the blanket off his body and throwing it over my shoulder. Just hiding my growing smile as I wrapped it over my mouth in retaliation, he was trying to hide his embarrassment. But the keen memory that flew right on in was his entire body shaking in the single touch I caused him.

Grabbing the rim of the truck to I rise up above to my feet, seeing the disaster of last night being either picked away by the people awake. Or being waken up from slumbering on the ground. I got lucky this way, beside Daryl with a blanket. Even a ride home in the sense of everything else.

Going to the passenger seat, did I make it on in without falling or needing help from Daryl. Which he was surely ready to give me, for however he managed to jump out as well without me noticing was beyond me.

Him now at the steering wheel, jacket on and over his shoulders as he made it through the maze of parked cars, those who settled the nights. But some did I see manage to make it back into their cars, it dropped in temperature last night. Good thing there was a bonfire for those who were smart and chose that area to sleep.

"Any plans for the new year?" I asked, resting my head at the far side of the wall. Nursing a headache did he take my free hand and began rubbing his thumb deep into my skin. Making me smile at the attempt at comfort, all while driving me home. "To figure ya out..." My instant reaction was to look at him, confused as all hell as to why he wants to know more about me...What haven't I told him?
That's when the countless list of events, actions and everything else in my life.
"...What 'bout ya?" He finished it off with a question, he surely planned this too. Guess I'm predictable in that sense. "I don't know Dixon...You're pretty mysterious too." He didn't chuckle like I thought he would, he just shifted uncomfortably. So I nodded along because we both felt the same way.

It's just Merle's words were coming into context now:
 "...Probably ain't safe for ya at our house..." 

I want to know more, and maybe without realizing until after I said it. That that is what I wish to get out of this new year, start a beginning somewhere and make amends with my past.
"Looks like nobody's home." 
He mumbled behind his hand, blocking his mouth as he itched his nose every constant second. I didn't mean to make things awkward, and if last night didn't do that for us already this can't either. Especially now that the house is empty, Jarod not home and my parents at the base. 

Think it's fair to invite him inside.

"Wanna come inside?" I asked, letting the blanket fall down my shoulders and to the seat of the car. He was stunned, my invitation wasn't sudden in anything. But like the events of last night gave into account, I can see where he'd go in the thinking range. "For breakfast not for round two." Was all I laughed on out, making him sigh down at the wheel. Opening the door to follow me on out, guess that was his idea of a yes.

"You're brother planin' any more bangers 'gain? The last one wasn't that bad." I shrugged, skipping the few steps to make it to the top with my key. Unlocking it and allowing him in, it was a habit to take my shoes off at the door.

Most of the women in charge of foster homes were anal about how the house was kept and all that sort of shit. And it's just easier to sneak back in the house with. Taking my jacket off by how hot the house was being heated with no one home, did I go straight to the fridge.
"Do you want eggs, cereal, waffles, pan...cakes?" 

It happened again, I made him uncomfortable. He was alright when the house was littered with people all drinking and smoking his sales. But now, when it was just himself and I, did he feel it coming to pressure him. 

I could see it in his eyes. 

Holding up the carton of eggs did I see him both shrug and then force a nod into the mix of it all. I was just going make scramble, easiest to make and clean up in the same. Along with some coffee and toast. My mission was simple as he sat down at the island looking to what I was doing. 
"So...what do you want to know about me?" Was all I could say, turning to look over my shoulder as I whisked away at the eggs.
"Blake I can't-"
"I've been asked a thousand times, questions don't phase me anymore." 

Turning back do I see him scratching his head, before he moved up from his seat. Going straight on over to the counter beside me, gave him the quick motion for him to sit right on it. "Why didn't ya stay with your mom?...Why'd ya go into the system?" Out of all the questions I was prepared for, it was this one. Probably the easiest ones to answer.

"Cause she wasn't...She wasn't the same. She turned herself around a lot, and I give her credit for it..." He nodded, fiddling with his thumbs. I just shook my head in a result of it all, and I didn't want to bring any questions to him because I honestly didn't know what to ask. 

Just wanted to see when he'd tell me the important details.

"Why were ya in for so long?"
"Cause court order allowed her to redeem herself, just took a long time...I was supposed to be here awhile ago." 
It was the same every time, I answer he nods and then precedes to the next question. And with our plates, almost ready did he just take one look at it, hungry eyes and a growling stomach. "When was the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday mornin'...That's why I didn't drink too much, that and I didn't want no weirdo's comin' near ya." I rolled my eyes, silently scolding him for not eating before drinking was a heavy low. But setting his plate before him at the table, before pouring him a cup of coffee. "Do you want anything in you're coffee?" 
It was an easier question than the list of shit that can be put into it, instead, did he shake his head and motion for it. Guess I should have given it to him sooner, but the second his first swallow came down, he chuckled.
"How much does this shit cost?" 

"You sound like me the first time I got here..." Was all I whispered, filling my mouth up with food as I took the gentle sip to wash it on down with. We ate more or less in silence, probably still giving his all on these questions. But I could never tell with the amount of food he's wolfing down. "Keep tabs on ya friends back at...The house?" He stuttered out the name for the building I called home, but it was a 'home' more or less. 

"Yeah...A little bit here and there. I send money." That's when his eyes darted towards me, like I was crazy. "Most of them aren't old enough to get jobs...I don't need anything."
"That why you didn't take the money ya made at your brother's party?" He responded so fast that I didn't know if he was angry at the fact I didn't take the money, or that I was giving it to other people.

He was so hard to read at this moment, that he just stuffed his face with more food...

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Date Posted:  // Time: 
Word-Count: 4627
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Author's Note:
Mature Content warning? Couldn't ruin the surprise ;)