New Writing Prompt: Matchmaker Merle

Merle Dixon considers himself a jack of all trades. He also considers himself somewhat of a ladies’ man. His brother, on the other hand… Well, let’s just say Daryl needs a little help when it comes to finding “The One.” And who better than his big brother?

What could possibly go wrong?

This spring, we want you to give us your best take on Merle playing matchmaker for Beth and Daryl! This is no contest, and there will be no winners. It’s just a nice, wholesome prompt that we hope can inspire some fun ideas. Feel free to interpret however you see fit. We look forward to seeing what y’all come up with!

All submissions will be spotlighted on May 1st, 2021. Feel free to post whatever you’d like, whether it be fic or fan art or anything else.
Use the tag “Matchmaker Merle” if you post on AO3, and if you post to Tumblr, please tag us (@ultimatebethylficlist)!

We look forward to seeing what this wonderfully creative fandom can come up with! 🙂

#BHF2k20: New Year’s Eve

Giving Thanks by gneebee

We follow Daryl and Beth’s new romance through the holiday season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!

“Dance Me ‘Til the End of Time” by boltthrutheheart

That’s a wrap on BHF2k20. Thank you all so much for participating! Here’s to a wonderful 2021!

#BHF2k20: Christmas

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a happy Bethyl holiday season!

Stockings

Giving Thanks by gneebee

We follow Daryl and Beth’s new romance through the holiday season.

Never Knew by Piper1016

Christmas morning. The prospect of the day still gave her a thrill just as it did when she was a child. Soon they’d be up and getting ready to start the day but for now, Beth snuggled down in the blankets, trying to escape the chill in the air. Daryl’s hand lay warmly on her hip. The solid presence he instinctively and intuitively asserted comforted her. Always.

Merry Christmas, Daryl Dixon by gala-art

Stockings by boltthrutheheart

Christmas Cookies

Cookies & Moonshine by Piper1016

As she turned the corner, heading back home there was a house set back off of the road. She hesitated only a moment before heading down the drive.
As far as she knew a man lived there by himself. She’d seen him a few times as he drove past her house, or as she drove past his. A nod of the head, a small wave was all the interaction they’d had. But it was Christmas Eve and she had one more plate of cookies, everyone should have a tiny bit of cheer on this day.

Christmas Lights

“I got you, babe” by gala-art

“Merry Christmas from the Dixon Family” by paperdollgirl

“Please Come Home for Christmas” by paperdollgirl

“Brighter than a Christmas Star” by boltthrutheheart

#BHF2k20: Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks by gneebee

It’s a time of giving thanks and counting our blessings and Daryl and Beth may have some new reasons to feel thankful and blessed.

We give thanks by naturegoddess210

It’s Thanksgiving in Alexandria Safe Zone. Beth is alive and married to Daryl. Their whole family is there too. Even Merle.. Also they don’t have turkey, it’s a goose.

Please note: We have decided to omit Thanksgiving from our future Holidays Fest due to the fact that it is strictly an American holiday and often has the least amount of submissions. Thank you so much to everyone who submitted!

#BHF2k20: Halloween

Thank you all for a wonderful Halloween full of spooky Bethyl fic and art!

Ghosts

some of them are here on earth by lindentree

If the State of Georgia had seen fit to upgrade the ancient plumbing they left in their goddamn prison before the world fell apart, Daryl might never have found out what Beth could do.

Ghost Stories by Courtneyshortney82

Daryl and Beth remember those that they lost along the way and wonder if they are still around.

Told You I Wasn’t Gonna Leave You by boltthrutheheart

your soul is haunting me by paperdollgirl

Full Moon

Moonlight Sonata by SquishyCool

Daryl Dixon has a dark secret that he’s been carrying since childhood. Nothing in the world could change it, not even his own brother. There’s simply no denying his instincts.
But just when he thinks his life has been turned upside-down for the last time… he stumbles upon Beth Greene.

Full Moon by boltthrutheheart

Full Moon by paperdollgirl

Witch

bewitched by paperdollgirl

Love on The Line by gneebee

These past three weeks on the job have been non-stop. Thank God they’re wrapping it up today. Friday. Perfect. 10 hours a day six days a week is starting to get to him. He doesn’t mind working and he likes the work he does, he’d just like to have a little time to take care of some other shit, and maybe have a little fun.
He’s been working so many hours there are a couple of things that have slipped by undone. He’s managed to keep his laundry up, he has to have work clothes. He paid the kid next door to cut his grass. Those things got done.
It’s the really important shit he hasn’t gotten to.
23 chapters // 113,526 words

banner courtesy of gneebee

Come Home To Me by gneebee

come home to me gneebee

So many years had passed since that fateful day, but Maggie had two important reasons for returning to Grady Memorial Hospital.
The question bothered her ever since they left her sister behind. Had they done the right thing? They’d all tried so hard to convince themselves and each other they had. Beth was barely hanging onto life, there was virtually no chance she’d survive. Especially if they moved her.
If somehow she did manage to recover from the wound it would only be because Dr. Edwards pulled off a miracle. And then what if she wasn’t really Beth anymore? After all, the bullet went into her brain. Didn’t it?
It must have.
6,369 words

AO3          ffn-net3

Rated T

banner courtesy of gneebee

It Matters To Me by gneebee

it matters to me gneebee

He was biting his lip as he looked down, slowly shaking his head “no.” When he finally looked back up at her the expression on his face was so serious, but she saw something else there. It was behind the solemn look and the no-nonsense tone of his voice. It was the sadness in his eyes.
“Dammit Beth. I ain’t ever gonna be any more than what I am right now. Look at me, look at this place. Is this really all ya want?”
Set in 1950.
21 chapters // 98,231 words

AO3          ffn-net3

Rated M

banner courtesy of gneebee

Just This Once by gneebee

just this once gneebee

It just happens to be a convenient coincidence that a mere two blocks from the joint there’s off-street parking where he can leave his rig.
He’s not kidding himself completely though, he knows if it was a five-mile hike he’d still stop just for the chance to sit, have a beer and look at her. He’d do damn near anything to see her.
4,629 words

AO3          ffn-net3

Rated M

banner courtesy of gneebee