#also have not told my parents will just be walkin in the door with new piercings

[ghostickle]

Wandered target for a bit waiting to go for my blood tests and found a tech deck ramp set at 70% clearance and got it for only $4 im so excited

[angryschnauzer]

Castle Under The Stars

Summary: You always worry when its a full moon and your husband is away on assignment, but this full moon is different as he comes home to be with you. Will it be for good? And just how much fun can two werewolves get up to during the full moon when they have a child to look after?

A continuation of Moonlight On The Sand

Pairing: Werewolf Captain Syverson x Werewolf Female Reader

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Oral Sex, Outdoor Sex, Werewolves, Breeding, Breeding Kink.

Typos are free range and organic, allowed to run wild and free. I do not operate a tag list but if you follow @angryschnauzerwrites​ and put that blog onto notifications, you’ll get an alert each time i post something new. Past works can also be found there.

Castle Under The Stars

You stepped out onto the back porch and propped the door open with a boot, the warm summer's breeze blowing softly at the net curtains on the kitchen windows, bringing in the scent of the roses in from the garden. Wiping your hands on your apron before hanging it on the little hook by the door, you grabbed your garden shears and flower basket, and headed out with bare feet onto the cool grass. The windows of your cabin all stood open, allowing the warm breeze to flow through the house, but also so you could hear if your little one cried from his nursery.

Quietly you stood and let the breeze push your light skirt against your legs as you carefully selected roses from the overloaded bushes. Small clouds skidded across the night sky, and for a moment you turned your face to feel the soft moonlight on your skin. The reflection of the sun's rays on its surface from orbit made your skin prickle, as if someone was pouring champagne over your limbs, but that was as far as your transformation would go, with the exception of the ring of fire in your irises.

You had been Sixteen when you had been turned. On a geology camping field trip, nature had literally callen and as you’d been in the bushes relieving yourself that’s when the lupine had got you. It took a few months to realise what had happened, and it was only when your monthly period bleed coincided with a full moon did you turn. With irregular cycles through your teens and early twenties, you probably only turned twice, maybe three times a year, but eventually you got used to it.

It had however been a bit of a shock to your new husband, Sy, when you had turned for the first time. He’d knocked you up on the first day he met you, so it took a good 11 months before your cycle had come back, two months after the birth of your precious baby boy. That first night had been a challenge; dealing with a newborn whilst both parents were howling at the moon, however you were thankful that Edith who lived in the cabin down the lane knew of these things, and upon hearing the howling had rushed over in her nightgown. 

Since then Edith had been like a surrogate mother and grandmother, as it turned out her late husband had the lupine tendencies too. Your deployment had ended whilst you were on maternity leave and you’d chosen to leave the Army entirely rather than take a desk job. Sy was special ops and in the middle of another deployment, but you had no idea when that would finish because of the nature of his assignment. Looking up at the moon you wondered where he was, hoping he was coping with the full moon and his monthly transformation. You weren’t ashamed to admit you actually really enjoyed when he was at home for a full moon; he was even more attentive and the sex was mind blowing. Standard sex with Sy left you bow legged and exhausted, but with the added power of the moon… well, it was out of this world and you’d had orgasms so strong you’d actually passed out a couple of times. 

The sounds of the occasional truck on the highway a couple of hundred feet away sporadically filled the night, and you thought about that time Sy had driven out to the lake with you and you’d spent the night fucking under the moonlight in the flatbed which he’d covered with blankets and throw pillows. You’d been seven months pregnant but good god it was some of the best sex you’d ever had. 

As you shifted to reach a particularly large rose you could feel your panties stick to you, just the thought of Sy was making you wet and ready. You wished you knew when he would be home, taking matters into your own hands wasn’t nearly as satisfying as the real thing from the man you loved.

Just then you heard a pair of owls hooting in the distance, a truck on the highway honking its horn, so you didn’t notice the sound of tyres on the long grassy driveway that ran up the hill to the cabin. Humming to yourself you were running your fingertips over the soft petals of a trailing white rose when the first hint of his scent reached you on the wind. It made you stop and doubt yourself, before it hit again and you felt the heat in the pit of your stomach bloom. Dropping the basket and shears on the grass you ran to the front of the cabin, the breeze catching at your skirts before you finally saw him, standing at the open gate to the garden, his large duffel hanging from his shoulder, the fire in his eyes as he finally saw you.

“Sy!”

He let the bag drop to the floor as you ran into his arms, launching yourself at him, your legs were wrapped around his thick waist as you kissed him. His deep laugh as you peppered his face with soft kisses, the tears of happiness rolling down your cheeks;

“I’m here Darlin’” he practically growled, and that’s when you remembered the moon.

Pulling back you looked him in the eyes, the golden ring of fire matching your own, and as he took long strides across the grass you felt the coupling connection again, just like that first night in the desert. 

He set you down on the lawn, laying you softly on the grass as he pressed open mouthed kisses down your neck. Grasping the front of your dress he let out a growl as he ripped the garment clean in two, humming his appreciation at your swollen breasts where you were still breastfeeding and soft belly, before your soaked panties met the same fate as your dress. His lips continued their path down your body, until he reached the apex of your thighs and inhaled deeply, his eyes shining bright in the moonlight before he dived in and licked a wide stripe through your soaked folds. There under the soft caress of the moon’s rays your lupine husband pulled the first of many orgasms from your body that night, surrounded by the wild calls of nature and the overwhelming scent of the roses. 

-

Sitting at the kitchen table, the morning sunlight streamed in through the windows as you flipped the pancakes on the skillet, smiling as you watched your two boys have breakfast. Michael sat in his high chair, babbling away as Sy seemingly understood every word of gibberish that came from his son’s lips. 

Sliding the pancakes onto a plate, you set it down on the table before you felt a strong arm around your waist and Sy pulled you across his lap, his massive hands smoothing over your bare thighs where all you wore were panties and his t-shirt;

“Steady there Darlin, making me want more than just pancakes for breakfast if you’re walkin’ around in just this”

Just then there was a knock at the screen door, all three of you turning to see Edith smiling and waving from the other side;

“Edith! Come in girl, been looking forward to seeing ya!” Sy called out, a huge grin on his face that got even bigger when he spied the basket she was carrying covered in a red and white checkered napkin.

You reluctantly climbed off your husband's lap, excusing yourself to quickly grab your robe as Sy and Edith talked;

“Big Sy, i knew it was your truck that rumbled past my cabin last night”

“Was indeed, home with my girl and my little man” he paused as Edith set the basket onto the table; “Those aren’t….?”

“They sure are” she pulled the napkin up and underneath were her famous peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.

Sy quickly pulled one from the basket and snapped it in two, handing half to Michael who happily chewed on the freshly baked treat.

“Hmmmnnnn, Edith, i could get used to these”

“You staying this time Sy?”

“I sure am Edith”

“Does she know?”

“Nope, wanna surprise her later”

“Moon’ll be up again tonight, you want me to watch Mikey?”

Just then you walked into the room, catching the last of the conversation;

“Are you sure?”

Edith stood and smiled, rubbing a finger over Michael’s chubby little cheek;

“Absolutely, why don’t I drop by after he’s had his supper?”

-

Setting Edith up with everything she would need for an evening of watching Jeopardy as your son slept peacefully in his crib, you grabbed the picnic basket and blanket and gave Michael a kiss, before stepping out into the night air. Sy had already taken off, with the moon rising before sundown he got antsy, but he would meet you at the lake. He’d set everything up ready, and just told you to drive his truck down, he’d set off on foot earlier, wanting to burn some energy in the calmness of nature.

The truck's tyres crunched on the gravel as you parked up, the lake a still mirror for the pink purple skyline as the sun set behind the mountains in the distance. But none of those were what you were looking at, no, what drew your attention was your husband quietly sitting on a rock at the shoreline, his boots resting beside him as he let his feet cool in the waters. With your sandals left in the truck you walked across the soft sand before reaching the shoreline, sitting beside him as he wrapped his big arm around your shoulders.

“Sy, what are you thinking about?”

He looked at you, his smile warm as his eyes shone amber in the low light;

“Lots of things Darlin… how lucky i am to have you in my life, how i don’t think i could have coped with what happened if it hadn’t been for you”

“Oh Sy…” your eyes watered; “I love you so much”

“I love you too Darlin. You and Mikey are my world…” he paused, poignantly; “There’s something else i wanna tell ya Darlin…”

For a moment you heart sank, dreading what he was going to say;

“Sy…”

“Ya know how Walt’s construction business is expanding and he needs a new site manager?”

“What?” whatever you were expecting, it wasn’t that

“Well, i got a surprise…” he pulled you onto his lap, his hands resting on your ass; “I’m done with the Army”

“No! You’d better not be fibbing…” your eyes were full to the brim, nervous tears threatening to spill

“Not fibbing… i’m done. Wanted to keep it a surprise until i knew for sure that the assignment was completed”

Crying happy tears you wrapped your arms around your husbands shoulders, burying your face in his neck as you sobbed joyfully that he wasn’t going away again. 

When you had finally settled down and Sy had reassured you for the 10th time that it was definitely true, he was definitely staying home for good, the pair of you stood and started to walk along the shore of the lake barefoot, the warm sand beneath your feet as you clasped your hand around his.

The gentle sound of the water coupled with the feel of your skin touching his calmed Sy, even though the moon was out high above the pair of you, he didn’t feel the need to turn, the sense of utter contentment a balm on his soul. As you had rounded the lake he stumbled on a pebble, and in turn a giggle escaped your lips. Steadying himself he smirked and kicked at the water, splashing you a little as you let out a shriek at the cool water hitting your warm skin. Retaliating you splashed him a little more than you were expecting, soaking one side of his cargo shorts and he paused and looked at you with a feral smile spreading across his lips;

“Oh, now you’re in for it Darlin…”

Your legs carried you as you ran through the surf, knowing Sy would eventually catch you, yet the thrill was in the chase. You could hear his heavy footfalls gaining on you, but you had the advantage of being light on your feet and made a sharp turn into the woodland, the soft grass beneath your feet dry and coarse. You realised he wasn’t behind you and you slowed, turning to try and figure out where he went, when suddenly he emerged from the bushes, his eyes glowing amber in the darkness and he tackled you to the ground, yet somehow managed to turn your bodies so you were on top of him;

“Gotcha!”

He pulled you down so he could kiss you, turning your bodies until he was on top, shifting his knees so he could nestle between your thighs. Your skirt had rucked up in the tussle, and the harsh brush of his shorts against the soft skin of your thighs had your hips bucking up against him, eager for friction as your arousal grew. With the quick fumbling of eager hands you were both soon naked, Sy kneeling between your spread thighs to take in the sight of you, your nipples hard and your arousal a sheen between your legs. Grabbing your hips he pulled you up his thighs, your back arched and your shoulders still on the ground as he thrust into you, spearing your flesh with his own and you both let out a howl of pleasure. 

Sy couldn’t tear his gaze away from where your bodies were joined, watching each time he pulled out and saw your juices glistening on his shaft, or how your cunt stretched open as he pushed this fat dick back into you, parting your walls and you cried out in pleasure. He fucked you like the feral beast he was, claiming his mate and catching the tell tale scent that drove him wild;

“Fuck, you’re ripe… gonna breed you and give you another pup. Thought i caught the scent last night but now i know for sure… can’t wait to see your belly round and your tits even fuller…”

He drove into your fertile body, feeling you cum around him yet he pounded through your orgasm knowing your cervix would be wide open now that you had cum and ready to take his seed. You were whimpering in his grasp, desperate for more but overwhelmed at the same time; 

“Sy… please… please put a baby in me…”

“Almost… there… Darlin’...” he grunted through thrusts, before his body went rigid and he threw his head back, filling your womb with pump after pump of his thick seed, a broad smile on his face as he even held you in place knowing that gravity would help get every last drop of cum through your cervix and flood your fertile ground. 

When he had finally finished coming he carefully settled the two of you onto the soft grass, holding you tight as your bodies were still joined, knowing that he would stay hard for another two or three goes. By the time he would be finished your bodies would be battered and bruised from the intensity of your lovemaking, yet the power of the moon would ensure by morning you would be healed, no outwardly visible signs that the feral carnality of the nights pleasures left behind, even if it meant you’d be sitting down tenderly on a cushion for the following 48 hours. 

It was well into the early hours when the pair of you finally limped back to Sy’s truck, resting your head on his shoulder as he carefully drove home, the moon having set early thanks to its cycle. 

When you arrived back at the cabin Edith was having a cigarette on the porch, the baby monitor resting on the rail next to her;

“Got it outta your systems?” she grinned as she took one last drag before crushing it in a plant pot of sand that sat at the doorway. 

“For tonight” Sy smirked as he carried you bridal style up the steps of the porch; “Can we book ya for tomorrow night too?”

“Sure thing Big Sy, but you’ll owe me”

“I’ll come fix the drainpipe around your porch once the full moon has passed”

“Deal… you’re a good-un” the old woman smiled as she grabbed her keys and slid the baby monitor into your lap as you quietly snoozed in your husbands arms; “It’ll be a girl this time”

Sy’s eyes went wide;

“How do you…?”

“I just know Sweetheart… my husband wasn’t the only one that’d turn ya’know…”

Sy held you as he watched the old woman make her way down the grassy lane to her cabin;

“She’s full o’ surprises is that one…” he looked down at you and pressed a kiss to your cheek, before catching the screen door with his booted foot; “Lets get you to bed for some rest… gotta recharge for tomorrow night… maybe make it twins…”

You shifted in his grasp;

“That’s not how it works” you mumbled sleepily, a smile on your face, but the truth was neither of you knew how it worked when you were lupine… really, anything could happen.

[muffindaddystyles]

KISMETS (Part 2)

Harry Styles x fem!reader.

Slow burn, platonic love and bunch of affection.

Fluff! Smut! Smut!

Frenemies to lovers, dad!Harry, Bestfriend!Harry.

Author's Note: The concept's kinda weird but if you've watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Phoebe Buffay carrying child for someone. You've got it my pal!

MASTERLIST PART ONE PART 3

"Oh pet . . you're jealous innit?" He swipes the tip of his finger over the waffle picking the puff of cream and swallowing it whole, "'M not! Why'd I be?" She squeals kicking at his boots.

"Always told me y'had a candy crush at Harold." He smirks mischievously. Spitting truth. She smacks his bicep with a wide open mouth.

Or

Y/N's carrying Harry's babies and is trying not be angry at him for pulling her into all of this with him.

//

Red's everywhere. It makes her pout. Everyone have someone to celebrate the day but she's the only one giving careless ears to Niall who's sitting opposite from her in the crispy lilac heart booth, "Mean ye' fought again with him?" He stirs the mango bobas in his drink wiggling his brows at her to fill him with some tea. She gasps full of drama and surprises, "What d'ya mean 'again? D'ya think 'm this crackhead that rips people in two for no-reason?" She whispers the last part when a waitress passed by them.

"No. Pet what 'm sayin' is --- you're too, feisty with Harry." He chuckles leaning to meet her betrayed gaze, "Did he bribe you with new golf stick? You've switched sides." She juts her bottom lip wet from pink marmalade drink and startles in her spot when Niall cackled ever so loud at her silliness.

"I just tol' him to go through Chessie marathon somewhere else than my home." Harry was at her flat as always. She was making red velvet strawberry flavoured muffins for the moment ( promised not to give it to Harry — "even if he'll beg") and then she fulfilled her promise when she saw him going through his pictures together with Chessie. The jealous little Y/N jumped out from her polite skin and she just tinsy bit mocked him, "I'd never look back at the person who'd have left me and my children. . ." That broke a mighty bit argument between the two idiots. How they're gonna take care of two babies when they themselves need a person to put them away from eachother?

"Oh pet . . you're jealous innit?" He swipes the tip of his finger over the waffle picking the puff of cream and swallowing it whole, "'M not! Why'd I be?" She squeals kicking at his boots.

"Always told me y'had a candy crush at Harold." He smirks mischievously. Spitting truth. She smacks his bicep with a wide open mouth. Sighing he grabs Y/N's hand knocking some sense into mama bear gently and making her nod with the each advice, "'s valentine's day 'course he misses her. His wounds are fresh they need ointment babe -- You've always been so good with him, what's the matter now?"

She circles her fingers round eachother. Sucking her lip harshly and not meeting Niall's intense stare, "Turns me mad that 'cos of one person we're here now." She mumbles caressing the belly button protruding from the flimsy fabric of her oversized hoodie.

"It's the fate, pet. Always tol' me how much you liked kids." She shakes her head in denial. "Not in this situation where 'm lost and doesn't know how it'll work out — " He cuts her off with concern.

"Talked to Harry bout it?" When she again denies he asks, "What you're gonna do about it then?"

"Dunno. Share?" She's new to all of this. What did she actually mean was that they could do it like how divorce parents do it, maybe? Doesn't know how Harry wants to handle the situation just leading a blind eye with him. Hasn't even considered getting ready for the life that'll come along with them.

"They're babies not a packet of crisps, Y/N!." He burst into giggles and she huffs slumping against the foggy window, "Pain in arse you're." She scoffs that pout still intact the whole time while Niall keeps on giggling finding it too funny.

. . .

Walking from the elevator to her flat's door seems like hiking a mountain for her and cherry ontop that the stares she gets from her neighbours is full of judgments. It makes her want to hide underneath her blankets and never pop her head out. Her brows coming together in wonder at the sight of small wood basket at her doorsteps.

"Oh my god don't tell me someone left a baby at my doorsteps, Hello!!!??" She spins here and there but finds no-one but empty hallways when a feeble sound coming from inside it almost made her tumble on her bum. The last thing she wants is not another baby. With a grunty noise she ducks down to lift the basket supporting it at her belly and unlocking the door while trying to squint inside it.

When she throws the lid away a fuzzy little grey creature with big mossy eyes was pawing in air needy for attention, a red choker with heart in centre around her lil neck. It almost brought her to tears. Blame her being extremely emotional these days.

"Awww. Hi!" She fawns picking it up from armpits inspecting the miracle kitten that's here outta no where. A crumpled note laying in the basket with a bunch of colourful disoriented flowers.

"'M sorry fo' throwin' a tantrum and leavin' all fussy. This's oreo. I want her to grow along my kids! Also forgive mee plssssss?"

She giggles throwing her head back snuggling oreo against her throat as she meowed adorably sweet, "Daddy's such a daft ehh?" She says in between breaths petting the new addition to her loved ones.

The first thing she does is call him and he picks on the very ring as if anticipating for it, "Come back home you fool." His smile was infectious as he taps his feet in his car a lil over joyed at the thought.

"So generous." Running upstairs as he used to in oast with anticipation to spill the tea of his day to her in any hour of the day. The door was already open, them standing at the either boundary line of flat. His first priority's always to shower his babies in evermost affection. Falls to his knees smushing his face to her belly quenching outta a ribs aching laugh from her as he caress his cheeks against the soft side of her womb murmuring things that's a secret between him and his babies.

"Hey Angels!" He greets them patching a loving tight kiss atop her belly button that tickles her softly, stands up and meets her teary gaze from laughing with much serenity it knocks breath from her, "Hi mama angel." His whisper fuses against her skin while kissing her cheek.

"Hi. ." She inhales in his woodish vanilla scent. Preventing from melting into his arms she pulls him back from shoulders grinning at him, "Let's ruin valentines watchin' Anne Hathaway's romcom." He tuts instead leading her with him to the sofa.

"Can't be better than that –— let me pop in some popcorns real quick."

. . .

The yellow carpeted floor's littered with candy wrappers, packets of half folded crisps, peach sodas and an empty bowl of popcorns. Oreo snoozing in her basket. They're on their fourth romcom. Her legs in his lap. His's on coffee table. He chuckles everytime she takes almost three minutes to be in a comfortable position, ushering her to sit up so he could put cushions under her.

"Are you craving nama chocolates?" She eyes him nipping at her blanket trying to snuggle closer to him. He runs his thumb at her shoulder blade in soothing circles peering down at her, "'m not pregnant. ye're moppet. havin' a sweet tooth?" When she nods sheepishly he shakes his head quickly hoping on his feet.

"Don't be shy --- dunno where ye' got this giddiness from, 'm your bestie. Gotta tell me yeah? Lemme grab me jacket." He grabs her from wrists helping her up and goes to her wardrobe to get her fist gloves, beanie and warm slippers.

When hears her huffing and puffing grunty-ly his head perks up with brows furrowed, "What's it babe?" He pads towards her and when she turns for him to have a look the zip of her jacket bursts open all the way to end revealing her bump.

She pouts sadly, "Nothin' fits me anymore." He just smiles adorning the same puppy look in his eyes as her's to light up the tension.

"I'll buy ye' new. Those cute maternity clothes, ehh?" Shimmies down the clothing from her shoulders, "oi you don't have to!" She retorts and he bobs his head taking his own puffer jacket off to wrap it round her small body.

"Yes I do." He mumbles zipping her all the way up warm and squishy in his jacket three sizes larger than her. Pulls her hair out and cups the nape of her neck with his calloused soft palm bringing her closer to feather a delicate kiss to her temple, ". . .deserves more than just clothes — deserves the world always gonna be thankful to ye, pet." She gulps the cobweb of silence down her throat fiddling with the hem of his sweater.

"What you'll wear? 'S cold." He gives her an elfin grin flaring a baby pink knitted cardigan he sneaked from her wardrobe, "Harry!" She squeals with a giggle, "You're gonna look like grann Matlinda."

"Ehm. 'etter not forget to send her a picture when 'm matchin' with her." He quips snapping his fingers.

. . .

They walk over the glittery layer of slushie snow and Harry walks infront of her two steps at a time capturing pictures of her as she prowls carefully trying to move the hood away from blocking her vision, "Ye'r walkin' like a penguin -- cutie!" He giggles with each echo of flash.

"Look who's saying an otter himself!" She mimics him and he blushes under the mellowness of street lamp. They're champs at pulling eachother's legs.

"It's soooooo slippery." She complains wiggling her fingers from under the sleeve, "Grab me hand 'n don't leave it kay?" He smiles like advising a three year old who's afraid of crowds in a market. His grip warm and safe for her.

. . .

"Aish. gimme gimme!" She gets all jumpy on her toes when Harry comes out of the shop with a box of chocolates and two sticks. "'Ey greedy pup." He chuckles booping her button nose opening the silky lid of box revealing the velvety delcious chocolates. He picks the stick up taking a piece of chocolate with it and hovering it over her little mouth. Scrunching his nose at how adorable she gets the moment she chews it.

"Hmm. 'S so soft!" She gulps wetting her cold lip getting all butterfly feeling when she catches him gazing down at her as if she hung the moon and saturns. Raises her brow for an inquiry if he's okay tugging him closer with a gentle clutch to his cardigan.

Their surroundings turning into ice crystals of blur carelessness, the noises of glimmering lights into lulls of whisper and their bodies cocooning into snuggly blanket when Harry's fingertips fluttered tenderly against her cheeks glueing her at the spot. Leans in to press his lips softly to her plush sweet ones in a heartwarming caring kiss that flooded her veins with warmth and made her brain mushy unable to think.

"Yours are softer lil penguin." He murmurs stroking the corner of her mouth and smirks when she squeaks a thank you in return.

"Such a cutie." He cooes squishing her blushed cheeks and kissing each of them with loud wet noise till she pushed him away wiping his wetness with a pout. "'M highly offended pet ya never used to wipe me kisses away."

She shuts him up by stuffing a chocolate in his mouth. Walking back home with his arms wrapped around her protectively as he comes up with silly jokes whole way.

. . .

Everything reminds her of him. That fuzz of kitten. The empty box of chocolate. Couldn't even focus on the work she's doing on her laptop. It's just that gooey feeling never left ---- now it has gotten stronger with it's mushk when Harry kissed her under that beautiful sky of wintery lilacs. If he's playing with her feelings he better not cause she'll break him in two in that case.

He was out shopping clothes for her when she texted him if he'll like to eat roasted chicken she made for lunch. The mere thought of him caring for her brings her to tears because before him nobody was there except only him that knew her from the depths of her heart.

"You look pretty. . ." She finds typing hard while laughing this loud as Harry sent her mirror pictures of him trying the maternity clothes himself that he's supposed to buy for her, "Thought a visual representation will be good idea ;)" He shrugs typing back with a grin standing bottom naked in the changing room getting a rolling eye emoji in return.

She yawns putting her phone aside when Harry got busy into his hunt for nice warm clothes for her. Something wasn't fine today. She's been changing sides for an hour now and she couldn't sleep. Her shoulders twitching with each blink of eye and when she finally slips into a light conscious sleep a bone rattling pain shoots through her whole damn body. She jolts from the state of haze and tries to sit up when another zap of pain makes her feel limbless. A feeble grunt of helping cry fizzes out of her when she feels a cramp at the bottom of her spine.

In her panicked state she fumbles for her phone dialing the first emergency number doesn't give him a chance to speak before she's yelling into receiver out of anxiousness, "Harry somethin' not right! — 'm m havin' these contractions —--" He's been out dining with Niall and shoots from his seat the minute her worried voice reached his ear.

"It's okay, lovie. yeah? 'M comin' take deep breaths how we practiced —-- I'll be there in a mo'." He assures her in his softest most pacific rasp but she shakes her head vigorously tears brimming in her sleepy eyes. Oreo tries to comfort her by sitting in her lap and rubbing her crown against her tummy.

"They aren't supposed to come this early . . . fo' fucks sake haven't even started my third trimester!" Harry doesn't know what to do except of consoling her and fidgeting around as Niall drives the car with same expressions of anxiousness and panic as Harry.

"Oh . . It's gone." She frowns in confusion able to sit now and it takes a little of burden away from Harry. He listens to the rustling going on her side jumping on his bum almost screaming into phone, "Stay where you're don' move!"

"Oh my god. They're back I'm not ready for this . . I'm not ready for this Harry." She cries and Harry even leaves Niall behind squeezing into the elevator fingers crossed at his back.

"'M here. Call our midwife can ye' do that fo' me, puppy?" She sniffs nodding to herself. Calling their assisted midwife with shaky fingers and tries to breath looking up at the ceiling.

In the meantime Harry's barging through the door pacing towards her in hurries steps. His face pale that if he has seen a ghost. She tries to saturate the distance between them knowing at this moment how much she wants him in her life.

He sits her back carefully crouches down and wipes her tears away, "'m so scared . ." She whispers squeezing his biceps and her phone's still ringing atop the sheets, "Don't be baby. Ye' have me — 'm not leavin' yer side."

He massages the dimples of her spine and runs warm hands at her sides to calm her down when their midwife picks up their call, "Hi. Is everything okay?"

"No Y/N's havin' these light contractions 'n 's not even the time of her labour." There's a pause from her side and Y/N bolts a worried glance at Harry in return he cradles her cheek to assure her.

"Oh . . that's nothin' to worry bout Mr. Styles. Those're some mild braxton hicks she might have mistaken with labour contractions." They both takes a sigh of relief but the little tick of pain keeps on coming and subsiding.

"They start at the beginning of third trimester, Y/N are you still getting 'em?" She asks her and Y/N clears her throat tugging the sheet beside her.

"Yes but less painful. Is that okay though?"

"Completely okay. Harry rest her against the headboard and push her knees upto her chest they'll be gone in a snap." He nods at her instructions helping Y/N lean against the headboard of bed gently and scooting between her thighs to do as she told.

"Better?" He whispers glancing up at her while wrapping his hands around her bended calves and pushing it slowly against her front, the move relaxing her pelvic muscles. Her head lulls at her shoulders from the effect and she hums from throat making Harry choke on his own spit.

He dares not to drift his gaze from her rigid features which are loosing it's tightness seconds after. Their breaths erratic from the humidity of sexual tension in the room when Y/N gets back to normal diverting her all attention to Harry who has his head tucked between her fleshy thighs. A blush creeping at her flushed cheeks and Harry gives her a flustered chuckle kissing the top of her knee to answer back Miss. Dori who's been asking how's Y/N.

"Stay hydrated and don't forget to take your vitamins." Saying this she ends the call. Y/N takes a huge sigh of relief spreading her legs back and Harry squeezes her ankles, "When was the last time you had a glass water?"

"Two hours ago." He rolls his eyes. "Supposed to be drinkin' every hour . . dehydration's s' unhealthy fo' you pet." He leaves the bed meandering through her wardrobe taking out a bag with Oreo in his armpit.

"What're you doing?" She gasps with wide eyes looking back at Niall who's still standing at the doorframe. God. It's so embarrassing he had to watch all of that. Now, he'll never not stop teasing her about it.

"Packin' 'cos ye're stayin' with me. No protests." Like she was going to. She loves to stay at his house. His guest room's mattress is such a royalty to sleep at.

. . .

When he tucks her under the layers of blanket she decides it's still not warm enough and grabs at his wrist when he was about to leave, "Can we cuddle please?" His lips quirks up with happiness and he crawls to the empty side of bed still letting her hold onto him. Slipping beside her to canoodle her cosily against his front nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck with "mhmpm." sounds of exhaustion.

"Anytime." Her eyelids slip shutting from the comfort he brings along with him, "ye' okay now?" His lips leaves it's sparkle at her skin as he mumbles spooning her from behind and spreads his palm wide atop her belly protectively. She nods cuddling into his bicep kissing the inside of his elbow and slips into darkness just with the song of his breath.

"Good night Angel."

. . .

She wakes up to the ruckus going outside and gurgling stomach from hunger. Pinches the blanket around her head and waddles outside yawning her way. Harry making brekkie in the kitchen, a grinder running, and waffles sizzling as he himself is moving around like Remy the Rat in ratatouille. His muscles stretching out with each haste motion and it made her tummy stir. She's been trying not be horny but it proves to be the hardest task when he's always around being that charming and alluring.

"Pet!" He grins spinning with a VR camera in his hand that makes her giggle, "What you're doing?" She giggles trying to hike up the stool.

"Recording the days with our babies until it's labour." Immediately he's at her side helping her sit up putting the camera at the counter and Y/N waves at it adorably voice low and sleepy, "Hi babies it's me your mommy." It catches Harry off guard. His heart shaped mouth baubles into awed expression as he blinks the shock away from his vision looking down at her.

"What happened?" She asks him in concern but he shakes his head pecking her hair and handing her the camera to go back to prepare brekkie — moreso to recover from the happy surprise of her acceptance or he might scream into these four walls.

He's got a heart of gold. Pure from the selfish intentions and full of love. He thinks he's an utter dimwit for neglecting his feelings for his own fucking bestfriend and finding love into places that were never meant for him. Now, he can't think of someone else as the mother of his children except her.

He smiles wet-ly to himself. Waterline stinging from the sweet epiphany that they're really gonna be parents. Together. That she's his person. Who never left his side. Fulfilled his dream of becoming of a dad when his own girlfriend backed out cowardly. What did he do to get her written in his fate?

"Would we get to eat in this hour of day Chef?" She quips elbow perched on the counter and chin resting in her palm. We. It makes his insides melt into squish of adoration and love for her, "Sorry! I know ye're hungry." He pouts apologetically putting the plates and a glass of smoothie infront of her tucking a napkin into her crew neck.

"I don't need that, pet!!" She laughs squeezing his thigh to refrain from falling -- for the fact she's the most clumsy person Harry knows, "look cute 's just all." He giggles back pulling his bottom lip that she has done a great job of flustering him this early in the morning — gonna be like that the whole darn day with the her words swimming in his mind hi babies it's me your mommy ——

"Hmm. It's so yummy!" She gives him a thumbs up leaning down to sponge a kiss to his cheek and his dimple milks against her lips from the shyness. He scrunches his nose as a cover up from blushieness else he might burst into lil confetti, "yeah?" His irirses twinkles impishly as he gave her an eskimo kiss.

They're so domestically in love. It's cute. Does thingies without knowing they've rocketed past the intense levels of intimacy.

When she whines at the end refusing to drink the green smoothie it's where he went all stern and daddy-ish with her. Pulling her into his lap, holding her wrists with his nimble finger and placing the rim of the glass at her lips encouraging her to drink, "I might puke." She tells him in a warning.

"Okay after drinking this." He declares not caring if she wrenches at him quiping with a pinch of brows petting her back.

"You're sucha meanie bro!" Bestfriend shit. More like lovers shit.

. . .

Blank staring is useless as fuck and mind tiring even if it's done sitting in the comfiest corner of sofa to get a watch of some piece of furniture, toys and clothes that litreally just belongs to little humans that are resting in her womb. There's this nice lady that Harry gave away all of this things to because she's having her third child and couldn't be able to afford this stuff for her baby, at the moment she's here to shift it.

"You don't have to --- I don't care. It's just some stuff you guys bought together." She had told him before he sat on the decision and once he makes up his mind nobody can make him act otherwise.

"Nope. Bought things fo' me babies by the choice of a person who wasn't even their mother in the first place, never deserved to be —-- would never be. We'll do everything from scratch . . ." His words held venom and hatred for her unlike the usual sadness and betrayal they carried weeks ago as he wrapped his forearm around her collarbones flushing her closer to his chest swaying in the living lounge, ". . . remember the plushies nan Matlinda gave ye' on ya eighteenth? Thinking it was yer thirteenth birthday? Found them from under me bed last night. Will throw 'em in the laundry and the descion will be on yours if ye' want them fo' yourself or your babies." She nods giggling and he joins her.

"'Course that'd be s' cute. My kids playin' with plushies that were once mine!" She clapped her hands atop her chest in sheer excitement.

At the moment, he flops onto sofa beside her with a dramatic huff after bidding the lady a warm good bye. Squeezing Y/N ankles as she's laying on her side. A pillow under her thigh for the ease purpose head on the other cushion, "Watching's the hardest work innit toots?" He grins impishly and she bobs her head with hooded eyes.

Rolling her shoulder to pop some joints to show her tiredness she's good at acting made him scoot closer to her immediately, "Actually yes — " Gets cut off with Harry getting really caring about her in instant.

"Lemme give ya good rub." His calloused palms starts it gentle pressure from the heels of her feet tricking up her calves and she hums sweetly with her face smushed into cushion. He does it for a minute, thumbing at her soles and popping her toes making her giggle lazily.

Her breaths turns warmer against the fabric when he glides his touch up her soft thighs running a trembling shiver into her blood and the coaxation from the daily tiredness plus the effect of him on her almost made her whine. Their breaths hitches at the same time his pinky brushes at the curve of her bossom peeking from underneath her pyjama shorts.

It makes her clench her thighs from the burn coiling in her tummy and it's embarrassing because he's doing nothing but giving her a rub. When the second time the pads of his supple fingers paints imaginaries at her skin she wiggles her cute ass and moans with an alluring stretch of throat when Harry slapped her arse playfully.

"'S good?" He rasps palming balmily her bossom ass hands gliding dangerously low to where she's pulsating with desire, "don't tease . ." She gives out a kitten-ish whine griping the corner of cushion to exhert the tension in her muscles. With a single glance to her deshilved state he slides his hand between her fleshy thighs pressing his lanky fingers against the wet splotch of her arousal from the only approximty of him.

"Jeez pet. ye'r absolute soakin'." He whispers circling her clit in tight circles from over her pyjamas and she ruts her hips in his hand for more. He hovers his fingers round the hem of her shorts testing the waters and if she really wants it ---- although she proves it with a groan indicating him to get rid of the material.

"Such a pretty bum 's a shame I got to touch it now." He traces the imprint of his redness on her skin making her hiss into her elbow and he pulls her over his lap; slowly feathering his touch between her pink slick folds down to her hole making her clinch around his digits trying to swallow them.

"S' tight babe. How long someone's been between these beautiful legs?" His words don't carry any taunt. It's just a genuine question. She gulps trying to escape the haze — couldn't when he's gliding his fingers non-stop in her wetness with dirty noises, "dunno . . don't remember!" She squeaks when he slides them inside her with ease from slickness caging a grunty moan that's threatening to slip from his lungs.

"It's been that long then . . ." He drawls out and Y/N's shook that she hasn't heard him in that tone ever before or maybe she's too floaty. This Harry intimidates her in a sweet way, makes her want to be blanketed under his warm weight always, to depend on him and be with him always. Makes her want to kiss him till the colours fade out and blossom back again with the witnesses of their love.

"Harry . ." She moans fogy-ly when he adds two more letting her stickiness drip down his thighs, "Yes baby." He giggles bashfully sneaking his arm under her shoulders to kiss her cheek.

"Gonna cum." She cries out softly nipping at his skin and he pushes his fingers deep till knuckles in her cunt pounding inside her with a pleasuring pressure, "Didn't stop ya." His little bubble kisses trails to the crook of her neck biting down to glitter hues of his affection for her.

"Oh my!" Her eyes popshut and thighs smack crampies his hand cumming on his fingers. Making a mess down his wrists, his trousers and the hem of his shirt. She purrs cheeks smashed near his thick thigh into velvet when he rubs her back to soothe her heated body down as that of a kitten, "Ye purrs are puttin' oreo to shame, moppet." He pushes her up. Straddling her each leg around his torso letting her melt onto him.

"S' warm." He mumbles against her throat pecking where the paths of her veins leads him to. Grabs her chin and nuzzles his nose to the underbelly of her jaw saturating her closer to his chest. She hiccups a breath when his swelling bulge nudges her already sensitive pussy making her wet again; she blames her hormones.

"Can you fuck me, please?" She gives him pleading eyes swiveling her hips back and forth against his thick length, "Don't 've to ask pretty girl." He kisses her mouth. It's not like their first kiss. Their first held innocence and sccachirness. This one's rather filthy, full of sucking, bites and spit. He splits his thumb in her hair cupping her cheeks kissing her passionately and winding his arm around her waist to caress her belly.

When she throws her shirt away he puffs out unbelievably taking in her to memorize each velvteen of her skin, "Fuck you're so beautiful moppet." It splashes blush at her features and his eyes litreally twinkles at the sight of her being like this. When his eyes halt at the swell of her titts he exhales through his nostrils a grin worming up at the little rainbow patterned bra she's wearing.

"Cutie." He kisses her again. It's like he can never stop kissing her ever. Her plump candy lips make it impossible. She skids his trousers down wrapping her hand around his girth squeezing him to quench out a throaty grunt from him. Stroking his cock with his pre-come and arches her back when his weepy head brushes against her cunt.

He helps her to take his cock being ever so carefull with her since she's pregnant but Y/N wants otherwise. She's insatiable. Could bite him whole at the time.

"Use me baby ---- make yourself cum with my cock. Wanted it yeah? C'mon now fuck me pretty girl. Take it all in. Yeah . . . Jus' like that." He grits stretching her to max and brings her neck to snuggle in to his chest when she was about to fall back because of her limbs giving out due to the ecastasy. She spurts out a giggle putting her hands between them to recoup herself and moves with his assistance on her ass.

"It's hard." She whines walls fluttering around his dick making him moan, "what me prick?" He smirks batting his eyelashes to get through the haze.

"Such a rotten joke." She rolls her eyes riding him with faster pace now and it's turning them all sweaty and hot, "mhmp. good girl takin' me cock s' well." His hands wanders above her tummy fondling with her nipples and takes it in his mouth while giving the same attention to other one with his thumb pulling it and tweaking it gently not to harm her, "don't like my jokes but you love my prick --- want to make ye' feel amazin' with it."

His balls thwacking against her bum and she leverages herself with his shoulders crying out in his ear when he hit a spot inside her she could never with her own fingers — she narrows her knees for more closeness and he tucks loose errands of her hair away kissing her temple with closed eyes.

"Tired?" His wet lips teases her earlobe and when she nods he gropes her ass thrusting up inside her, "It feels more good when daddy does it . . doesn't it?" He pounds roughly with a sharp angle of his pelvis and keeps on fucking her till she's crying his name.

She's a puddling. His words only made her float into her own head space where it's golden streaks in the amidst of violet clouds.

His own groans getting hoarse when she pulses around his cock milking and pushing his head fat out it makes him choke onto his spit, "cum for me --- inside me want it s' bad." She whispers woving fingers with his's and pressing it into sofa still grinding down at him whole body jolting from the sensitivity.

He does cum inside her. Filling her to brim with his seed it oozes out making soppy sounds when he pumps it back with lazy strokes to extinguish the last sparkle of fire that was crackling in their insides.

Remains like that. Tangled and dishelved. Listening to eachother's silence. He didn't even got a chance to pull out of her when his phone startled them beside her making her cramp hard around him and his head falls on the headboard with a grunt.

"Fuck." He squints back and pretends to eat the apple of her cheeks with roar like noises tickling her side making her stomach squeeze with laughs when his phone rings for another time and she ushers him to pick it.

His expressions remains stoic. Lips thinned into a hardline as he listens to the person on the other side. She's familiar with it. The feminine seductive voice she can never unhear --- it pangs her heart with an unbearable amount of pain and clogs her windpipes.

Dunno from where she found the need to ask this she did with a second thought from the anxiousness whirling in her mind the second he ends the call, "Are you gonna leave me now?" Tears of hurt without her knowing are already spilling down the valley of her chest.

Harry stares her. But, she could see nothing in them due to blurness from the pulversive of a single call.

[myfairgunslinger]

Title: Red Dead Revenge: Kiss of Death  [Part 4]

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x OC x John Marston

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Cursing, Brief Nudity

Summary:   Arthur is back and feels Miss Milley needs a distraction. Time to go to the thriving town of Armadillo!

A/N: Hey guys! Back with a brand new chapter that took a while to form, but I'm glad with how it came out. Hope you enjoy! 

Italics means flashback!

Chapter 4: Family Heirlooms 

Maeve was standing in the drizzling rain waiting for Arthur to get closer to the camp.  He looked like he was carrying a bag and a rifle.  As he approached her, he was surprised to see her up, "Miss Milley, good see you walkin' around.  I have a couple things here for you."

Maeve went over to help him but he only gave Maeve her rifle, letting her hold it.  She couldn't believe she had this gun back in her hands again, "Wh--"

Arthur cut in, "I went back to your house.  Got you some clothes and a couple things you might need," she was still staring at the rifle, gripping it as he tried to read her.  From the way her shoulders were tense Arthur thought it would be a good idea to get her alone, "Can we talk in my tent?"

Her head snapped up, showing her watery eyes while nodding, "Yeah," she managed to get out.  After they got to his tent, Maeve was given the bag, "You can go through your things with out anyone lookin' in," he explained, "Go on and sit," he pointed at his cot.  Maeve did as he said then opened up the bag pulling out her brush first, then a shirt, then a can of strawberries.

While pulling out the different items, Arthur reached in to his pocket to hold the gold earrings he picked off Darren, "Maeve," he said softly to get her attention.  She was holding a can of fruit when seeing the jewelry.  Last time she saw those, they were dangling on her mother's ears the morning she left for work.

______________________________________________________________

Maeve had come downstairs getting ready to go on her walk to the saloon.  She peeked into the kitchen to see her mother in a light blue striped shirt with a blue Constance skirt.  Her hair was up in a bun while the earrings dangled on the sides of her face, "Leavin' already?  I made breakfast for us," Cecilia said referring to Maeve, herself and a prospector who was making himself at home.

Maeve observed the stranger for a moment then whispered, "Mama, you're feeding another stray?"

"Oh Mae, the man was hungry.  You know how it exhausting it can be to dig for gold," her mother said popping open a glass bottle to sip from. Maeve reached out to hold the glass for a moment so her mother would look her in the eyes instead of drinking, "Mama, please.  You know I don't like leaving you hear by yourself and you know why?"

"Hmm? Why?"

Maeve gently took the bottle from Cecilia, "Because you invite complete strangers into our home with good intentions like feedin'.  And that's very sweet of you, Mama, it is, but it's also gettin' dangerous to do that.  I saw three different wanted signs get hung up at the post office the other day.  Now I don't wanna leave you alone with this strange man...no offense," she apologized to the prospector who replied with in a higher pitched voice, "None taken!"

"Where's papa?"

Cecilia smiled softly at her daughter then held her cheek with her hand, "You don't need to worry about me, my sweet.  That's my job.  I do that all day when you're washin' the dirty folk."

"Yes, well bullets and strawberries don't grow on trees, Mama. Well, strawberries grow on bushes but I'm not about to plant any. Where's pa?" Maeve asked again. Cecilia nodded to the stairs, "Upstairs.  Sleeping in from a...long night."

Maeve stared at her mother hoping that wasn't what she thought it meant, their clock had struck nine and Maeve sighed out, "I'm running late. Okay, go wake up Daddy please.  Tell him I didn't want you down here alone and tell him we are having a Talk when I get home."

Cecilia was heading to the stairs, "Yes, mama!" Maeve rolled her eyes at her mother while heading to the door.  She took one last look at the man in the kitchen, sure this man may be harmless, but one day they might not be so lucky.  _____________________________________________________________

"I saw everything there," Maeve was taken out of her thoughts by Arthur, she looked up at him being silent now holding the earrings in the cup of her hand, "I'm really sorry for what happened. Those men, having to see all of that...to go through it all," he was gazing off a bit seeing his own past hardships. "I saw your parents, just know that they're buried now.  I didn't want to leave them there like how they were."

It was that, those words that started to make Maeve cry while clasping her hand shut.  She sniffled, bringing her closed hand to her heart.  Arthur went to sit next to her on the cot then reached into the bag to find the frame picture he brought back for her, the one of her family. Maeve immediately grabbed the picture holding it close to her chest and cried out louder.

"There, there," he wrapped his arms around her shaking body and she let him embrace her.  Maeve just had to let it all out, she cried so hard that it was draining her energy.  Arthur must have held on to her for a long time because even after she had passed out in tears, his arms were still around her, giving her soft pats on Maeve's back.  His voice saying soothing things, "You're safe now.  You're safe here."

______________________________________________________________

Maeve had woken up on the cot with Arthur's coat over her curled up body.  She looked around to see Arthur was not here.  As if he was a comforting dream that eased her to sleep.  She got up having the coat around her shoulders, noticing her stuff was back in the bag, while looking at his side table.  There was a picture of an older woman, must have been his mother.  Next to the picture was a small flower in a tiny jar.  Maeve reached out to pick it up to inspect it closely, she smiled softly at it before setting it back down.  The thought of Arthur being this big man, carries around a tiny flower with him. 

She continued to search his tent for more small details about him.  Apart from a newspaper clipping or two, Maeve saw the book she gave to Arthur the night they met. He had marked his place in the book with a long stemmed flower that had smaller buds branching off.  Arthur was still in the beginning, which was understandable. The man was a busy one. She then came across a small book that was bound in leather, open yes, but was laying face down on the table.

Maeve picked it up, flipping it to where she was met with a drawing of a sleeping figure.  She was expecting to read words, the more Maeve looked at it the more she realized it was of herself.  It was a rough sketch but it was the darkness of her hair and thinness of her lips that gave it away.  He was good.  Maeve was about to turn the page back but her ears picked up on approaching footsteps.  She quickly set the journal back down on the table where she found it then grabbed a hold of a can of strawberries. 

Arthur came in holding two bowls of stew, "Mornin'..." he thought she'd be asleep still. His eyes caught her holding the can, "Put that down. I got you an actual meal." Maeve shook her head, "I'm okay."

Arthur frowned with one corner of his mouth, "Susan tells me you've barely eaten. I need you to eat whatever the hell Pearson made cause I need ya today." She set the can of fruit down with a raised eyebrow, "What are we doing?" her voice sounded a bit raspy, needing some water.  Arthur had her sit on the cot and gave her a bowl, he put a spoonful in his mouth.

"We're going into town.  Need to pick up a few things and figured you should come with me.  Being cooped up in this camp isn't what ya need," Maeve ate a spoonful when he told her, "Okay, do they have an inn?"

"Think so. Need a bath?" he asked looking over at her. She nodded softly, "We'll get you one. Maybe brand new clothes too."

"You just got me some of mine," Maeve poked at a chunk of meat in the stew with a spoon.

"Yeah, but you need--quit that. You need a coat when winter comes and please it's my treat," Arthur wanted to get her away.  If she sat her around camp all day her mind would go back to dark places. "Alright."  They finished eating up then went out to the horses.  Arthur mounted his as Maeve took out an apple to feed Liability before climbing on the horse herself.  When Maeve was on the back of her mare she glanced over to see John looking at her while he was helping Javier move some hay.

"Miss?" Arthur called for her and Maeve went with him to start their ride into town.  They talked quite a bit on the sunny road to Armadillo. He asked about her horse, what her name was, when she got her, the essentials when having a conversation of horses, "Seems like you can always count on your mare no matter what."

Maeve scratched the back of Liability's ear, "This old lady hasn't let me down.  She still amazes me.  Tell me more about Boadicea.  She's beautiful."

Arthur smirked while patting her softly, "What can I say?  She's the best horse a man can ask for.  She even does this trick, watch," Arthur pulled to the side of the road where a desert sage was growing.  He sucked the air between his teeth to make a clicking noise.  Boadicea lowered her head to bite the roots of the flower, then pulled it out of the ground.  With a turn of her head, Boadicea was able to give Arthur the sage to which he plucked out of her mouth, "That's a good girl," he took out a peach to feed the mare.  Maeve smiled at him, "That's a neat trick."

Arthur broke off the stringy roots of the flower to toss it over to the girl. She caught it, "Boadicea is neat like that."  Maeve brought the flower to her nose to have a sniff, "Beautiful," she placed it behind her ear as Arthur stared, "Yeah...sure is."

______________________________________________________________

The town of Armadillo was rather decent.  Sure a tumbleweed may have blown across the road, but people still inhabited it.  Making from shops, to the doctor, all the way to the saloon.  No one would pay any mind to the two strangers that came to this desert town.  Arthur hitched Boadicea to a post as Maeve did the same with her mare.  She turned around to see they were in front of a doctor's office, "Go on and have a look around out here.  I have go in to get some supplies. Oh and here," he took out the money he collected from her room to place it in her hands, "That's yours in case you see anything you like and I'm not around.  Don't go too far." Maeve made a soft nod as he entered the office.  She looked in the window of a gun store then decided to check it out.

When walking in the man behind the counter was surprised to see a lady came in here, "Oh doctor's is next door, Miss."  The corner of her mouth raised, "I know where I am, sir. Thank you," she went over to the shelves that was stocked with rifle rounds.  Maeve picked up a couple boxes to inspect if they were the ones she got back in Blackwater, they were.  She approached the counter to set them down then saw a hunting knife on display.  Maeve plucked it from it's spot to add to her bullets.  The gunsmith made a nervous smile, "You and the husband goin' huntin'?"

Maeve stared at him with cool, dark eyes, "Something like that. And I ain't married." The gunsmith's mouth opened, "Oh...my mistake.  Lovely lady like you, thought you'd be married."

"No--" He kept going on, "Maybe have a couple kids, but maybe not cause your hips are kinda narrow for--"

She raised up her left hand in irritation to show him her ring finger, "Well, you thought wrong!  Now can I please buy these bullets and knife so I can go shoot birds and skin 'em." Maeve's eyes flashed hints of rising anguish, "That'll be seven dollars."

Maeve took out the cash to slap on the counter as he spoke, "Oh the bullets go in the side when you pull back on--"

"I know how a fucking gun works!" Maeve shouted before walking out of the store just as Arthur came up behind her, "You good?"

Maeve let out a frustrated sign, "Yeah.  Real dummies here," stashing the bullets and knife in her satchel. Arthur placed his hand on the top of her back, making the gentlest of touches to have her go in the right direction, "The General Store is this way."

As they crossed the road, Maeve winced her eyes from how the sun was blinding her.  Arthur noticed, he plucked off his hat and placed it on her head, "Hey!--"

"Don't worry, I don't got lice.  You should know, you bathed me," Maeve felt a blush on her cheeks, "Yeah, a couple days ago!" The sun was at least out of her eyes. Arthur just chuckled as they walked into the shop.  The first shelf Maeve approached was the one that had chocolate on it.  She picked up a bar, at times the girl had a bit of a sweet tooth.  She then took a pack of cigarettes for later.

"What do you have for clothing?  Any coats?" Arthur asked while grabbing a pack of cigarettes as well.  The cashier tilted his head to a rack, "No coats in for the season. I got a few things in stock."  Maeve went up to it having a gander through the selection.  The only stand out clothes she saw was a pink prairie skirt, a pink button up work shirt, and a red blouse with laces in the front.  There were a couple neck ties laying about so Maeve grabbed the pink, black, yellow and green ones.

As she walked into the dressing room, Arthur approached the rack and found a nice yellow dress.  Maeve had came out of the dressing room wearing her old clothes and his hat, "They fit fine," she said with a tired look to her.  He smiled softly  as he went to go pay for everything, "Let's get you that bath."

While crossing across the main road, Arthur handed her a brown bag that had the yellow dress, "Here, I got this for you."  Maeve opened the bag to take a peak, "Yellow?" "Do you not like that color?" Arthur asked, regretting that he bought it, "No...I just don't wear it often.  I like the color," she reassured him as they entered the saloon.  He placed a couple dollars on the bar counter, "Need a bath for the lady, a whiskey for me, and a room for few hours."

The bartender took the money and opened up a bottle for Arthur, "Ah the honeymoon package.  Upstairs, sweetheart.  Left door.  The right is your room," he said with a gruff voice, yet was oddly happy for them, "First time?" he asked with a smile. Arthur rolled his eyes at the man before taking a sip of his drink, clearly needing it.

Maeve stripped out of her clothes and was left in her bandages.  She took off the one that was on her chest from the cut Mike Bollard gave her during his torment.  It was scabbed up, healing, but Maeve knew it was gonna be a scar along with the other wound she received.  The pain was still there for that, but here she was still standing.  She took of the bandaged then sat inside the tub.  It felt odd, usually she was on the other side of the porcelain.

She sat in the warm water for a while after scrubbing herself.  All the dirt she's collected since being in this desert was washed off her skin.  Her eyes were heavy as the heat from the steam soothed Maeve's body.  After a while Maeve got out to wrap a towel around herself, she peaked out the door to see no one was upstairs so she hurried across to her room where the girl could get dressed in peace.

When she shut the door, Maeve went over to the clothes that she laid out on the bed before bathing.  She was gonna wear the red blouse with her skirt and a pink necktie.  Maybe even wear her mother's earrings.  Right when she was about to drop her towel, there was the noise of a throat being cleared startling the girl, "What the hell, Arthur?" 

"Sorry, wasn't tryin' to be inappropriate. I did have a reason for coming up," he took out fresh bandages he picked up from the doctor's, "Might want clean ones on." Maeve stared at him, nodding, "Good idea, can you--?"

"Yeah," Arthur answered her unasked question, "Just..uh.." how was he going to wrap this around her with the towel being the only thing to cover herself.  He was flustered from wanting to look at her body so he can wrap the gnaze but he didn't want to look at her out of respect and privacy.  Maeve saw the turmoil on his face, was he having a more trouble with this than her? She realizes it had to end by dropping the towel to be around her waist while using her arm to cover the flesh on her bosoms, "Better?" she asked.

Arthur glared at her eyes for a moment, cheeks blushing as he wrapped her up.  Maeve couldn't help but smirk at his reaction, "You're enjoying this?" Arthur questioned, pulling the cloth a bit tighter.  Maeve shrugged, "You flustered? A little.  But I don't know why you're embarrassed.  I'm the one that's naked?"

He finished up and she raised the towel back up over her chest, "Let's just call us even when it comes to 'knowin' each other' alright?  Get dressed.  I'll buy you a drink." Maeve got her brush, starting to comb her thick, dark locks as Arthur left.  His heart had to slow down because it was pounding hard during that.  She may have looked like another pretty girl, bound to break his heart but Miss Milley was something different and he could see it.  While more than anything he'd like to pursue this blooming infatuation with her, however, Arthur knew she was in no way ready for such a thing. Who would be after the past week? And there was something else in the way, or someone he suspected was a wrench in things.  John.

After putting on her clothes, Maeve came downstairs to see Arthur leaning on the bar.  She was all clean now, in new clothes, no longer looking like she was a victim of torment.  While she was starting to look like her old self; happy girl with a chip on her shoulder, Maeve wasn't and there was no way she ever would be again.

"You look lovely," he complimented her while handing off a shot of whiskey.  The earrings looked gorgeous on her.  Maeve took it while placing his hat on his head, "Thank you, Arthur.  I don't mean just for the drink," she said looking down at the glass, "And not just for the clothes or trip to town either," her eyes peered up to him as her face was serious, "Thank you for helping me when you did...for going back to get a few small things--"

"Look Miss, you--" Arthur tried to stop her. He didn't feel he deserved gratitude from her when he was just doing what he thought was right.

"I'm not finished!" Maeve blurted out as her fingers spread apart from reacting so sudden.  Arthur let her continue, but Maeve took her shot to get out the next words, "For buryin' my ma and pa...I don't think--" her eyes were glossed, "No...I know I wouldn't be able to do it if I went back."

Maeve fell silent, so Arthur placed a hand on her shoulder.  His eye briefly glanced at her chest, seeing the cut there.  He took in a breath to say, "You don't have to thank me... I know it's hard right now, I was you once and I was lucky to have people get me through it when I did.  So I'm here for you," he gave her a comforting squeeze on her shoulder with his hand before pulling back, "I do have one thing to ask you?"

"What?" Maeve set the small glass on the bar not really looking at him as he spoke, "Do you plan on going back?"  She gave him a soft shake of her head, stating a no, "It's not my home if my home ain't there," she's only lived in two houses, moved from Saint Denis to Blackwater which is never an easy trip, but that didn't matter because Maeve had one home with her family.  That yellow house far off from the town she used to live in was nothing but a place that held memories of loss and pain.

Her words made sense to Arthur, "Well, you can stay with us.  Dutch he--have you actually met him or Hosea?" Maeve shook her head as he continued, "I spoke to them and they said you are welcomed to stay with us, so long as you do some things like help Mrs. Grimshaw around camp with chores or whatever you're comfortable with." Maeve stared at Arthur while listening to him, it made her feel relaxed when he spoke, "The only thing they wanna know is if those men are gonna come lookin' for you because if they are we need to think of a plan to keep you and everyone safe. Don't know if you've noticed but there is a child there too."

Her mouth instinctively twitched down to make a frown, You mean John's son...or not? Don't remind me.  "I'm aware of the child," Maeve started, "But I really don't think there's nothing to worry about.  The men that robbed us, they were twins and I guess a bunch of their buddies that were hired out by some rich guy my Pa owed money too.  They took everything from us and left."

"Who's they, Maeve?" he asked wanting more details.  She looked at him, "The Twins and one of their friends.  They rode off after collecting these gold bars Pa kept locked away. Leaving behind their other three friends.  I shot one dead, shot another but he got me when I came across you." "Yeah and I got him and the other one," he then looked ahead at the bottles of whiskey on the shelves, "Okay, I ran into a few more of 'em when I went back. They were lookin' for the dead ones. Killed two of them, one ran off."

Maeve's eyes lit up, "Did any two of them look the same?"

He shook his head, "I don't think so. One was called Joshua," she let out an angered grunt, "That ain't him!"

Arthur was startled by her reaction, "Who's name did you wanna hear then, Miss?"

"Mike...or Phil...I'd take a Bob too," Maeve called for the bartender to come over then took out five dollars, "You see this glass empty tonight, you fill it up. Understood?" he refilled her glass as well as Arthur's, pocketing the money, "Yes ma'am," he looked to Arthur, "Feisty."

Maeve threw back the shot down her throat when Arthur said, "You got no idea," then joined her in drinking his.  The piano started playing fast  as the day turned to night and the bartender stuck to her word, every time Maeve slammed the bottom of the glass to the counter, he just filled it right back up. They must have been eight shots in when Maeve hissed out, still not used to the burn of the liquor.  She didn't drink too often, usually Maeve had to be the one to take care of her drunk parents.  Arthur, however, was numb to the burn from years of doing indulging, building a tolerance.

"Yak!" Maeve blurted out making Arthur chuckle, "Have another one, I think it will help the burn."

"Noooo!" she shook her head turning around to lean her back on the counter while looking around the bar.  A sudden dizziness hit her, her vision was seeing double, "Gee Arthur, didn't know you had a twin."

"I don't--"

"Introduce us!" Maeve placed a hand on his face while leaning against him.  She giggled out as one hand caught her waist and the other was placed over her hand, "I think you've had enough, Miss Milley."

Maeve rolled her eyes, "Says you.  Hey!" she called out at the bartender, "We need more here!"

Arthur moved his hand to her shoulders so he could guide her upstairs.  He waved off the bartender, "Nah! We're good.  Let's go get you some shut eye." As he made her walk forward Maeve started to frail her arms and legs about as if dancing to the music that was playing, "Yeah, yeah, dance upstairs."

When they got in the room Arthur let go of Maeve in the direction of the bed, "Just lay down and get some rest.  I'll take ya back to camp in the mornin'," his back was to her while shutting the door. He wiped the sweat off his brow then turned to see Maeve there.  She grabbed his hands with hers and pulled him more to the center of the room,

"Dance with me," Maeve swung their arms in a drunk fashion which had him scoff a laugh, "Do you know how?"

"Can't you tell?" She bit her bottom lip while looking at him.  Arthur moved their hands to where hers were on his shoulders while placing his on her sides, slowly swaying together in a circle.  He then dipped her down to which Maeve leaned back, letting out am excited cheer, "All right!" The man brought her up smirking at her, he then let her go to sit on the chair against the wall.

Maeve went to sit on the edge of the bed while looking over at him, "Arthur?"

"Yes?"

"Why did ya draw me?" Maeve went to loosen her neck tie since it made her sweaty.  The man had a soft blush but he wasn't flustered as he had been earlier, "You saw that, well I just like to draw things that happen in my day. Sometimes I write it out, sometimes I draw."

"Can I see it?" Maeve asked a little eager.  Arthur shook his head, "No. Those are my private thoughts." She stuck her tongue out at him, childishly to which he responded the same way, "I'm gonna look in it one day," she said, raising her hands up when hearing a familiar song play on the piano downstairs.  Her hands were positioned as if they were going to begin playing the keys.

"You play piano?" Arthur watched her fingers move in sync with the music, "Used to...almost everyday when I lived in Saint Denis. Then when I was in Blackwater the days became farther in between."

"You've lived in Blackwater a while then," he said earning a nod, "Meet any interestin' folk?" Maeve glanced at him, "Yeah, you."  Arthur was flattered, but he needed answers, "Besides me."

While being as drunk as she was, Maeve was aware of how she had to answer that, "Blackwater was filled with a bunch of boring people that stayed there.  Only interesting people were vagabonds and moonshiners that passed on through." 

Arthur observed her then dropped the subject.  She was way too drunk for this and he was too tired. He leaned back against the chair while putting his hat over his face, "Get some rest Miss Milley.  God knows you deserve it."

Maeve dropped her hands after a moment when the song stopped.  The girl laid down on the bed looking at the wooden ceiling of the room.  There it was again, the crippling feeling of isolation that Arthur had been trying to fight off for her all day. That night, unwelcomed, replayed in her head again.  The blood, the screams, the gunshots all of it flooded back into her mind along with all the torture the Bollards put her through.  Seeing their faces, hearing their voices.  

She wasn't doing this.  Not again.  Maeve sat up in the bed then got off the bed in one quick motion.  She practically stumbled out of the room which woke up Arthur after the door swung open, "Maeve?"

Tears were rolling down her face as she exits the saloon.  She stood on the porch for a moment trying to figure out where to go but hearing Arthur call out for her pushed her feet to move across the road to the train station.

Walking in, Maeve tripped over a body of a man that was laying down, "Ow! Watch it! Can't you see I'm tryin' to sleep?"

"No...I didn't... who in Sam Hell sleeps on the floor of a train station in front of the door!?" She yelled at him.  Maeve kept moving to leave through the back where people wait for the train.  There was no one out here at first glance.  She sat down on a bench holding her head while hearing Arthur call out for her.

The pounding against her skull was making it feel as if it would explode, Maeve made a soft grunt while rubbing her temples.  The girl was completely distracted when a man had approached her with a gun. He cleared his throat to which Maeve stared up at him.  The man had dirty red hair, with a nasty kept beard wearing a riverboat hat and finger-less gloves.  He looked like a pauper which only added to why he was looking to rob Miss Milley.

"Evening Miss, I think you know what this is," he nodded to his small revolver, "And I think you know what I want," he nodded to her, "So if we make this as quickly and quietly as possible we can go about our ways and be just fine."

Maeve stared at the man, "Fuck you," her voice was venomous.

"I beg your pardon?" The robber was surprised in her profanity. "You heard me, gingy! I said fuck you.  I'll say it again!  Fuck you!" She stood up getting closer to him.  He raised the gun to be aimed at her head, "Now, now don't make me shoot you. I have no problem killin' a woman!"

Maeve gave him a dangerous smirk, "Then do it!  What do you want?  My money?  Will that get you through whatever?"  She took out the money, throwing it at him, "Take it and leave!"

He still had his gun up when catching the money.  The robber's eyes were on those pieces of gold dangling from her ears, "Your jewelry too."  Maeve gave him a hard, scorching glare, "No."  His thumb pulled back the hammer of the gun, "Yes."

"I'm not giving these to you.  They're family heirlooms."

"That makes them more expensive.  Give them to me now," he put the gun against her forehead, backing her up against the wall of the train station.

"Fuck yourself," she hissed, "You'll have to take these off my cold, dead body," her hand reached into her satchel while her eyes stared at him, keeping him distracted from her hand as it wrapped around the handle of her newly purchased knife. "That can be arranged."

She took in a deep breath, getting ready to strike out like a cornered animal when she saw the end of a sawn-off double barrel shotgun poke the side of her robber's head, "Only arrangements I see here is for your funeral," Maeve recognized the voice and her heart was pounding, not out of love, but anger, "What the hell are you doing here John!?"

"What's it look like?" he glanced at her, not surprised she was unhappy to see him despite the circumstances.  "Looks like you followed me and Arthur into town, uninvited!" her lips tightened.

"Yeah, guess I'm good at showing up to places uninvited," he said to her.  The robber was confused in all of this, "Hey! I still have a gun here!"

"Oh I'm aware.  You're gonna put it down and let the girl go," Maeve rolled her eyes, "I don't need you to save me, John!" He scoffed.  She was unbelievable, "Right and you weren't gettin' robbed or about to get shot."

"I don't wanna be saved!" She ripped the knife out of her satchel as her hand pushed the robber's arm to the side.  He wasn't expecting that and pulled the trigger to the gun, shooting a hole in the wall.  There wasn't a lot of time to act between the gunshot and Maeve jabbing the knife right between his rib cage, not once but twice before letting go.  He backed away as the knife stuck out of him in absolute panic.

John then stepped forward to smack the end of his gun in the robber's face before he collapsed to the ground.  Maeve looked over the body, feeling a strange satisfaction in seeing the lifelessness of a man that wanted to harm her, steal the last bit of her family away from her.  She got down to take her money back from his pockets and pulled her knife out causing a pool of blood to form.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" John watched her stand back up.  She walked up to him, "What's the matter with me?  What about you?  What are you doin' here?" Maeve wiped the blood off the knife using a handkerchief from her pocket.  John put away his gun while saying, "Didn't see you come back after dark.  Wondered if you were coming back or went home."

"Blackwater is the other direction, ya know," the knife went back into her satchel while staring at him, "And Hosea mentioned how he asked Arthur to come to town for supplies."

"Aww...you worried.  How uncharacteristic of you," her eyes winced at him before walking around the train station to get away from John, "Mae!" 

"Go home!" Maeve said rounding the corner to see Arthur slowing down.  He had ran over here after the gun shot went off fearing something happened to the girl, but she was alive and well...and with John who walked up behind Maeve.

"Arthur--"

"Well...looks like you two do know each other after all," he said glaring at them both, "And lied about it." Maeve shut her eyes, dreading the hole she had dug herself in with John.

[chloe-clegane]

My Devotion and Mah Protection, Our Love - Chapter 4

The Procession 

Summary - It’s Royal Announcement day!

Prev Chapter

Next Chapter

AO3

---------------------

First thing the next morning Opeli sent word that there would be a royal announcement in the castle courtyard that afternoon. Ethari had arrived and the councilwoman wanted no delay.

Sitting on the tower parapet, Rayla could already see people starting to gather despite the announcement still being hours away. She heard Callum approach from behind but didn’t turn to greet him, she was too preoccupied with her angst.

He spoke her thoughts aloud. “You’re nervous, you’ve never been in public like this. You have no idea what you're doing and you’re terrified you’ll mess it all up somehow.”

“Shut up” she snapped.

“Am I wrong?” He asked, chuckling as he leaned his back against the wall. She nodded in reply and he went on, “You know that’s weird?”

“Hmmm?” Her attention was back on the courtyard, kicking her dangling feet.

“I think my mom must have felt the same way when she was in your shoes.” Rayla looked at him, this got her attention.

Queen Sarai had been a common topic lately and the more Rayla learned about her the more curious she got. Other than her hostility over deserts Rayla’d never heard a bad word about her. Imagining her as insecure was a completely new layer. Callum continued “She came from a military family but wasn’t in all of this.” he gestured out at the courtyard and castle, “When she married my step-dad this was a completely new world... I mean, me too, but I was just a little kid. They told me what to do and I learned it. It’s easy when you’re young.” He let out a big sigh. “I’ve never really thought about her side of it before now… seeing you… I don’t know” He smiled sweetly, but now it was his turn to look out pensively.

“I guess It hadn’t occurred tae me that you and yer mum were normal people. I knew about the step-prince thing but never put much thought in’tae it. Makes sense, the warrior queen thing and all.”

“Yeah but that’s the thing, to me she was always just my mom, she was warm and loving. I would see her train with her spear and advise my step-dad in court and stuff… she still wasn’t a queen or a fighter. Just the person who loved me, who played with me and kissed me goodnight.” His thoughtful face broke with a small smile “You know, I think I was the only person she would ever share a dessert with.” he signed “Parents seem like these perfect beings growing up. My step-dad, I had long enough to see him as a flawed man. I wonder what knowing her as an adult would be like.” Rayla bent over and kissed the top of his head.

“It’s different fer me but I understand what you mean. I was left with Runnan and Ethari and my parents lived away from me. I would only see them when they were on leave from the dragon guard... Always muh birthday. I have so many questions but now they’re really gone and I’ll probably never see them again.”

“Hey, you don’t know that” he was comforting “Those coins are out there somewhere, we just have to find them”

“Yeah….” the mood had really taken a turn and it was supposed to be a day to celebrate. “You know what's really weird?” she grinned at him.

“Tell me.” he rested an elbow on the wall and looked up at her.

“We’re adults now, like you said. Parents and adulthood, It used to feel so far away, but here we are. And we’re doin’ adulty things.” She reached out to take his hand and he gave it. “We’re gettin’ married, like real grown ups!”

He laughed and smiled wide at her “You know you’re right, we’re adulting so hard right now”.

Holding his hand she jumped down from the wall and kissed him, taking an extra minute to hold him close before she pulled away. “So excited I get tae do all this with you. But , I’m still completely terrified to parade around like a fancy royal person, hoping people don’ get mad I’m an elf.”

“Rayla, you’re going to be fine. We’ll walk around and people will see you as a wonderful, funny and amazing person. Not some stranger, they’ll see you .” She offered him a weak smile. “You’re going to do great. I promise.” He pulled her in to kiss her again but they were interrupted.

A guard jogged up to them panting and gasping, “I found you!” Gasp “Tailor and maids” wheeze “Said they need you” huff “Been looking everywhere”

Callum looked guilty “Uuhhh sorry we were so hard to find. Are you going to be ok?”

“Oh no, don’t worry about me. You just need to go find the royal tailors for a final fitting or something, and some maids are waiting to get you done up” He pointed at Rayla and she felt icey dread grip her.

“Well great!” Callum kissed her quickly and moved to go.

She grabbed his wrist and stopped him hissing. “You said nothin’ about makeovers”.

He smiled apologetically “How was I supposed to know?” She continued to glare “I love you?” he tried before pecking her on the cheek before fleeing to catch up with the guard. Rayla groaned and followed.

The first thing they did was shove her into the dress. She had a few moments to admire it while they pinned the last of the hem. It seems that the dressmaker had tried to approximate the elven style. It was somewhere between the layered robes of Katolis and the tight fitting clothing she’s used to. Tight at the waist with bare shoulders, but billowy sleeves to the elbow. It was more round and less angled than the usual human apparel. But it was clearly Katolian red and gold. They had taken her measurements the day Callum and she arrived so the garment fit well and she felt really... ok. They hurried away as quick as they’d come, leaving Rayla in the underdress.

Next she was sat down, they powdered her face and colored her lips a little and her hair was poked and prodded, she could tell the woman was afraid to touch her horns. The first attempt was a disaster. They were about to start again when there was a knock at the door. It opened and Ethari walked in. Luckily in his frantic worry that he would miss the wedding, he had packed a formal outfit. He looked really nice.

“ah was told you’d be in here gettin’ ready.” He took one look at the frustrated woman unpinning the awkward updo and tried to step in “It looks like maybe ah could be of some help. Dae you mind?”

The woman looked skeptical. “This is a formal occasion are you able-?”

“ Yes! ” Rayla was a bit too eager

He laughed and smiled kindly “Yes, I am able to do something appropriate. I’ve been doing her hair most of her life, I’m very capable.”

The woman didn’t argue, in fact she looked relieved. She exercised herself and left the box of tools behind.  

“Thank you Ethari! You rescued me in the nick of time.” she was relieved.  

“ah know this stuff isn’t yer favorite. The state I found you in was about what ah expected.” he chuckled. And picked up the brush to start working. “Yer nervous.” It wasn’t a question.

“We’ll o’course I am!” he nodded “I’m about tae be paraded around like a prize moonstrider! Or worse, a freak. Everyone keeps telling me it will be great...” She grumbled.

His hand wove the braids as he spoke. “Ah think it’s valid tae be afraid that people will judge. Ah worry about it too. But don’ be worried you’ll embarrass yerself.”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes “yeah because I never make an awkward fool of muhself”  

His smile was somewhere between sympathetic and encouraging. “From what that woman, Opeli? Told me, it won’ just be walkin’ around lookin’ pretty You’ll be speakin’ with people, letting them see you aren’t some foreign stranger. You’re showing people that you’re a real person, nothin’ tae be afraid of. And Rayla, yer a wonderful young woman, try tae be confident. Yer marryin’ into royalty, it’s ah big deal”

“Yeah, but isn’t that weird? Like I’m better than them because I happen tae love some prince?” She felt so uncomfortable with that idea.

“Yer missing the point still, yer showin’ them yer normal, not better. And you just happen tae be an elf and you just happen tae love their prince. Otherwise, yer just like them” He finished her hair and squeezed her shoulders. “Just be yerself… except smile… smile much, much, more.” He chuckled and she elbowed him.

She turned her head in the mirror to admire the braided updo. Her Uncle had created two braids on the front of her face. Then three that met at her neck to cradle a bun. He also added a few silk ribbons to her horns in place of actual Moonshadow style jewelry. She placed one of her hands over his on her shoulder. Rayla liked the end result, it looked nice. “Thank you Ethari… fer the hair and the pep talk. I feel… pretty.”

“You look beautiful and so grown up” He sighed and kissed the top of her head. She thought about what he said. She did look older, elegant, and just maybe, beautiful. It was like looking at a new version of herself.

They ended up discussing her jewelry for the wedding when the door opened, the maid entered with the dress and when Ethari left they started buttoning her in. She hadn’t been dressed by anyone since he was 5. She tried to hide just how uncomfortable she felt.

The visitors just kept coming. Opeli appeared as the maids finished and left. “Rayla, you look lovely.” She smiled kindly, “may I speak with you?”

“uh yeah o’course” The head adviser took a seat across from her on the edge of the bed. She felt like she had just been called into the headmaster’s office.

“I know Callum has told you some of the expectations for today, greeting the people-”

“Yeah, yeah” She waved off the woman's repeat instructions and nodded emphatically.

“So, I want to handle this delicately.” Raylla’s mind went to the pregnancy questions and she felt her eye start twitching. The woman continued. “There will be some who... oppose this match. The alliance with the elfs is still very new and there are those who will discriminate and even be angered by the very idea of this relationship. I was informed about an incident with a rock...”

“Yeah I know we kind of assumed these things would happen. But it’s fine I can take care of mahself, and Callum.”

“But that’s the thing Rayla. There are a lot of people who fear elves, especially former Moonshadow assassins. We would like you to go unarmed today. It’s imperative that you seem...  nonthreatening ”

“But you just said-”

“If something were to happen we want you to allow us to take care of it, Amaya and Soren will be there as well as other guards. I’ve already spoken with Callum about not using his magic as well.”

Rayla felt some anger make its way into her voice “So what? You want me tae be some damsel? Do I hav’ta be helpless and sWoOn? I can fight muh own battles!”

“Rayla” Opeli spoke calmly and cautiously. “Please, that’s not what I’m saying at all. We all know you’re capable. The point is that this will be people’s first impression of you. The last thing we want is to give any reason to fear or distrust. We want them to see elves and humans can live in harmony. Do you understand?” Rayla didn’t like it but she understood it.

“Fine. But I still want muh blades closeby. I’ll have Soren carry them for me.”

“That’s a great compromise” Opeli smiled “Thank you” She got up to leave but Rayla stopped her.

“Opeli, before you go, can I have some money?”

Opeli looked surprised by the request and blinked a few times. “Well, I uhh, don’t see why not. There is an allowance that Callum receives from the treasury… Is it a large amount?” She sounded very un-easy and Rayla realized how out of place this must seem.

Is asking for money a weird thing to do? Was this rude? She wondered. “Uhhhh I don’ know what large would be. I want to get Callum a gift.” Opeli’s face relaxed and she smiled. Rayla liked Opeli, she was a prudent and trustworthy adviser to Ezran. And below the hard political exterior she was good-hearted. Rayla could understand the hesitance to hand money out willy nilly.

“Yes, Rayla this is something I can help you with. Assuming it’s not too extravagant. What did you have in mind? I can probably help you acquire anything that can’t be found in town.”

“It’s just-I wanted tae get him another sketchbook, special, from me. I want tae pick it out.”

The woman smiled warmly “That will be no trouble. When you do go to town look for an orange sign with a blue paintbrush. I can probably get the coins now. We’ll be meeting in the main entrance in about 20 minutes so be ready” She got up to leave and turned back with a smile “by the way I think he’ll love that.”  

Finally, her and Callum met in the hallway. They had cut his hair leaving it longer on top and trimmed close on the sides. It was like a softer version of Soren’s, the lines more blended. The front still hung over his forehead but was swooped to the side to show the circlet, she didn’t know he owned. It was similar to Ezran’s except the ends representing the two towers only extended up. She’s never seen him in such a formal setting. His clothing was very standard Katolian, a fitted jacket over trousers. It was made with the same fabrics as her dress, they matched up nicely.

“You Clean up well... fer a human”. She jabbed.

He didn’t take her teasing bait at all. “You’re absolutely stunning and I have no idea what I did to trick you into spending the rest of your life with me” he said it matter of factly.

She laughed and kissed him. “You don’ think it’s ah little much? I feel… ornamental ”

“You aren’t alone, they cut my hair and put me in a tiara!” he complained and pointed “I don’t think I’ve ever been this dressed up in my life.” He pulled at his stiff collar.

Rayla took comfort in his shared feeling of exploitation. She appreciated the goal; be the first union of an elf and human. Show the world that love and understanding can overcome prejudice and hatred. Blah Blah.

“I really like yer hair” She ran her fingers through it and felt a little blush creep onto her face. She’ll never get tired of his handsome face.

“Well good, guess it’s not so bad then” He held her face and leaned in to kiss her when they heard Soren clear his throat, interrupting their flirtation.  

“Ok love birds, I know you like being cute and shit but it’s almost go-time.” he put his hand out to Rayla “Gimmie the blades, Opeli told me to hold onto them”

Rayla clutched the belt and holstered weapons to her chest “I swear Soren, if anythin’ happens to these I will fillet you with a bread knife”

“Ew, rude. I pinky promise I’ll take good care of your babies. Now come on.”

She handed them over begrudgingly and he attached the belt to his. While Callum was distracted she whispered a plan to Soren.    

Opeli came and complemented the elegant couple and ran them through the instructions again . Rayla felt the acid returning to her stomach as the reality of following said instructions began to hit her. Before Opeli left she slipped Rayla a small pouch of coins as promised. Callum noticed as she tucked it away but she shot him a look that said mind your own business.  

They lined up in front of the large main doors and were herded into position. Even Ethari was included in the retinue, he still looked incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. But when they made eye contact he gave her an encouraging smile. As the guards reached for the doors Callum squeezed her hand, they shared a nervous smile and one more deep breath. The doors swung open. The crowd began clapping for their king eager to hear the surprise proclamation.

Ezran walked ahead of them onto the balcony, waving and smiling. The couple stood a few feet behind him as he gave a sincere speech about love bridging the gap between Katolis and Xadia. When finished he finally gave the announcement “It’s my deepest pleasure to announce the engagement of my brother Prince Callum to Rayla of the Silvergrove.” It was their cue to step forward, they smiled and waved. The crowd erupted into applause and cheering. Rayla couldn’t help notice a portion of the crowd looked confused and some just up and left. She pushed the worry down and kept smiling the awkwardly big smile. She turned to look at him and when he saw her his smile went from forced to genuine. Impulsively he kissed her. He grabbed her face and his lips were warm and enthusiastic. She couldn’t help but relax into it. She heard some awwwws from the crowd and more cheering. When they pulled apart he whispered in her ear “let them walk out, I will never be ashamed to love you”. She knew he meant it and it made her knees weak. Their smiles were less forced after that.

What happened next was like nothing Rayla had ever experienced. They began making their way through the courtyard and into the city streets. It was terrifying, she’s fought evil mages and giant spiders so at this point most things didn’t phase her. This was a different kind of terrifying, it was overwhelming. She uncomfortably took compliments, shook hands and was asked questions, some of which may have been a little culturally insensitive, but well meaning. As they were instructed Callum and her attempted to connect with people. Children stepped forward and brought her flowers and told her she was pretty, that they liked her purple eyes. It occurred to her this is likely the closest many of these humans have been to and elf. This situation was extremely bazaar.

Soren walked directly behind the two and a pair of additional guards walked a few feet behind him. She kept receiving flowers and Callum placed a few in her hair. She reciprocated and started tucking them into his circlet. He looked adorably ridiculous and they shared a few chaste kisses and held hands. The flowers just kept coming, she moved onto Soren, he glared unamused by the daisies behind each ear. Eventually, a basket appeared in the hands of one of the guards and she could finally free up her hands. It was a relief. On top of the greeting, and the smiling, and the waving, she didn’t need to be over encumbered by bouquets. Things seemed to be going well and she was starting to think she’d be able to pull this thing off.

Eventually, she saw the orange and blue sign that Opeli had told her about it was off on a small side street. She doubted the councilwoman wanted her to do this now but it seemed like a good excuse to take a break. Rayla caught Soren’s attention, he winked, clicked his tongue and snapped his pointed fingers at her then nodded to the other guards. Callum had been pulled into a conversation so it was the perfect time to sneak away. As she entered the shop she looked back and saw a very confused Callum searching the crowd for her.

She hurried in and Soren stayed at the doorway blocking anyone from entering behind her. The shop was empty, probably because everyone was outside. She startled the owner, “You’re a-wait-the… You’re the Prince’s betrothed, the news is all over town, everyone’s talking about it.” the lanky man stuttered.

Rayla chuckled awkwardly “Yup, you caught me. hehe...” awkward silence.

He looked as nervous as she felt. “Ummm, so can I help you?” he asked.

“Right, Yeah! I’m in a bit’of a hurry. I need a sketchbook. A nice one, leather with shiny stuff or somethin’” he showed her a selection. The one she picked was maroon leather with an embossed heart made up of the angular linework commonly found in Katolis. It seemed subtle and still got the point across. She also purchased a few pencils the man recommended. He wrapped the parcel and tied it with string.

“All right that’ll be-”

“There you go” she placed the entire pouch of coins in his hand and he looked shocked. “Is that enough?” she asked.

“Yes it’s ah-let me get your chang- ”

“Great! Gotta go! Thanks!” She smiled and waved as she dashed out.

She heard him yell behind her. “Thank you please come again”.

As she left the shop a group of three men were walking by, one stopped when he saw her. He looked at her with disgust, she could feel the atmosphere turn sour “Take your filth back to Xadia wench” he stepped forward and spit at Rayla’s feet. She was taken aback but then narrowed her eyes. She tried to remember Opeli’s words but luckily Soren intervened before she could kick the arse hole square in the chest. Soren simply stepped in front of her and raised his arms, moved forward and lifted his chin sharply. The leader flinched and backed away.

One of the men in the back spoke up “The prince must enjoy those legs, open like a whore”

The third man spoke “That must be the only reason he must want a monster in his bed”

This time Soren put a hand on the pommel of his sword. He didn’t have to say a word, the intimidation worked and they ran away.

“Yeah, that’s right, run home you little bitches” Soren called mocking after them, then he turned to Rayla concerned. “You ok?”

She nodded. In truth, the answer was yes and no. She could have taken those thugs alone and unarmed, but it unsettled her much more than she had expected. Being hated face to face by strangers like that left her angry and a little shaken. “Let’s just get back.”

Soren put the parcel quietly into the flower basket when they rejoined the procession.

“Where were you?-” Callum asked surprised and confused.

“Had tae use the little elf’s room, don’ worry about it”, she kissed him quickly and changed the subject “Now please, let’s start workin’ our way back. This is exhaustin’.” He agreed and they slowly changed direction. Her fake forced smile had returned and she found herself not wanting to let go of Callum’s hand.

Once the doors closed behind them they practically collapsed. They massaged their sore smiling muscles while being praised for how well they did. Everyone was enthusiastic about how kind and open people had been to Rayla. That having her accepted as their future princess would be easier than they hoped.

When asked if there was any trouble Soren opened his mouth but Rayla cut him off. “Everything was just fine”, She lied. She wasn’t sure she wanted Callum to know about the tearaways. She didn’t want him to worry or get mad. This was a good day and she didn’t want to spoil it. There was no harm done... this time , was the nagging end to that thought.

After dinner Rayla excused herself early, eager to be alone after the giant mob they spent the afternoon in. With her basket in hand Rayla stopped to retrieve a nightdress from the room she pretended was her’s and then sauntered to Callum’s. She changed and started arranging flowers on the bed. It was a lovely assortment, they weren’t extravagant, mostly wildflowers or ones common in a garden. She sifted through them while she got lost in thought. She’d never been praised so much in her life and had no idea how to feel about it. People were so nice, despite her being an elf, excited to meet her and kind. She picked petals off a flower, lamenting that one bad moment and she felt it seep into her mind like poison. She hated that she just stood there and took the verbal abuse. She was grateful for Soren, he was a loyal friend but it should have been her fight. When all the petals were pulled off the flower she beat back the negativity.  She wanted to give Callum his gift and have him all to herself. She would make this evening special for them both!              

When he finally entered he was in a good mood, he immediately began taking off the jacket and his boots while excitedly telling her about something that happened at dinner. When he finally turned to look at her he was stripped down to his pants and white undershirt. He stopped and went silent when he saw her. She was lounging on the bed covered in flowers wearing a thin silk nightgown. It was a nice fabric and so it never made an appearance when they traveled.

“Hi” was all he managed.

She hopped off the bed to greet him with a light kiss. “Hello, why do you have that stupid grin on your face?” she looked behind her for an imaginary target. “Was it something over there? Or maybe you just have gas?”

He laughed and reached for her “Hmmmmm what could it be?” he pondered “OH! Maybe my smokin hot fiance in the fancy outfit I like”

She looked at him with fake confusion “No that seems silly, probably just gas”.

“Oh come here!” He pulled her in for a kiss and she took the moment to reach for the hem of his shirt. He chuckled as it cleared his head. “Is that how this night is going? Sometimes I think you only want me for my body”.

“In my defense it’s a very nice body” She smiled coyly as she traced one of the tattoos on his upper arm. “Actually though, I have a gift for you”. He looked surprised and she guided him towards the bed but he stopped

“ok this is really weird” he had a bashful smile “I uuhh… I have a present for you too”

She cocked her head to one side and it was her turn to look surprised “Seriously?”

“Yeah!” He chuckled as he went to retrieve a parcel from a drawer.

They sat together, Rayla insisted he open his first. He agreed and she watched his face intently, when he saw it the soft smile was exactly the response she hoped for. She loved that smile with all her heart. He ran his fingers over the embossed patterns on the cover, memorizing the shapes. Finally he looked up at her “Rayla this is beautiful. Thank you” he kissed her tenderly.

“I thought this would be a better place for you to keep your private sketches.” She elbowed him playfully but he looked perplexed. “YoU kNoW, The risque ones you like to do. The ones you have to take out of the regular sketchbook so no one sees.” She purred.

“Oooooooooh” He understood now and smirked “you mean when I draw you as my elegant naken muse?”

“Yes! This is yer special red pornography sketchbook… you perv” she chuckled

“Hey you bought it for me so you can’t mind it too much.” he teased.

“Ahh you got me there” she winked and they laughed together and he thanked her one more time.

“Really Rayla, I love it, and I can’t wait to fill it with all the ways I get to see you.” He kissed her hand “Now it’s your turn!”

The parcel was smaller than his and she couldn’t help noticing the pink string. She opened it carefully and was confused by what she found. “They’re… socks?” She unfolded them to take a closer look.

Callum looked defeated “You don’t like them? Was it too forward? I tho-”

“Callum they seem like very nice socks I just... Why are they so tall? Kind of flimsy” She always had a sense for when she was missing a human thing, that sense was tingling now.

“Oooooooohh” Callum’s face was pink. “Are stockings not a thing for you?”

“I guess not.” she paused “Wait a minute. Are these sexy fancy socks?”

He chuckled a little embarrassed. “They’re silk stockings, and... yes they are sexy. Keep in mind I don’t really know what I’m talking about but the woman at the shop said these were the highest quality in the five kingdoms, imported from Neolandia.” He sounded proud of that, Rayla found it wonderfully cute “And before you call me a perv again they’re not just for the bedroom, usually, they’re worn under fancy dresses. Buuuuuut most men do find them... very alluring.”

“So they’re like tights, except fancier but also leave mah cunny wide open?” Callum snort laughed. One of her favorite sounds he makes, maybe her favorite sound ever.

“Yup, Rayla you…” He had to stop laughing “you hit the nail on the head there”

She admired them fully, running her fingers along the teal ribbon gathering the ruffled embroidered edges. The more she looked at them the more beautiful she found them and she knew he’d picked them out with care, “They’re soft… and dainty…” she smiled sincerely “I love them and they’re beautiful. Thank you Callum”.

“You’re welcome my muse. I guess they can be featured in the first sketch of my new book” She could tell he was pleased with himself. He kissed her but pulled away she looked into his bedroom eyes (because she couldn't call it the licentious prince look anymore) . He suggested “I think you should try them on. Can I help?” He was trying to be smooth.

Rayla wasn’t sure what he meant but she was eager to let him. He got on his knees in front of her. The blush that spread across her face was scalding. As he placed her foot in his lap he ran both hands up and down her leg. His touch sent chills down her spine while still managing to burn against her skin. The way he looked at her was full of desire. Taking the stocking he slowly rolled it up onto her thigh and tied the ribbon. But before moving to the next he kissed the inside of her thigh but stopped when he realized she wasn't wearing any underwear. He bit his lip and she chuckled.

“Ah thought you’d like that” she smiled with satisfaction.

He muttered as he kissed and stroked the other leg “I do like it, I like it alot”

He rolled the second stocking up with equal tenderness. When he finished he stopped to look at her, he reached for her hands and kissed them. “Rayla you are so… perfect… I…” She pulled him to his feet and over her onto the bed, she kissed him passionately. She worked on the buttons of his pants and pushed them down. He fumbled a little trying to step out of them. It wasn't’ the most smooth thing he’s done but he was cute as ever.

She layed back on the bed and he moved his hand between her legs. She whined against his lips when he slipped a finger inside her. Then a second finger pumped slowly. Too slowly. He was driving her mad so when she saw an opening she took it and flipped him onto his back. He looked a little shocked at how quickly the tables had turned but then smiled in awe of her. Taking charge like a tidal wave she crashed her love onto him, letting her passion hit like waves. She felt lovely and fierce, raking her nails on his bare chest and grinding against his hard and ready cock. Everytime he tried to get up she showered him harder with affection and she felt the smile on his lips. He pulled her down, flush against him and she laughed. He chuckled into her ear “You’re so aggressive. Are you going to take advantage of me?” He said it with a flirtatious eyebrow wiggle.

“Maybe” She purred. She lined herself up and then lowered herself fully onto him. Rayla took a moment to enjoy the feeling. She loved having him inside her, connected in a way meant only for them. He filled her and it was perfect.

As she began to rock herself on top of him he reached to help control her thrusts but grabbed his wrists and held them above his head with one hand. She ground into him and he moaned and sighed happily. Holding his arms down with her left hand she uses her right to rub herself while she rode him. He was moaning and writhing underneath her. He never tried to pull free of her grasp. He’d given her his trust and submission, she took it and cherished it. They both started panting, he lurched forward and moaned her name. She should have pulled herself off but she enjoyed feeling him release inside her and she was so close, it only took a few more seconds grinding until she crumpled into her own climax.

They rolled onto their sides and shared a tender kiss. “I liked that.” he was catching his breath “You can do it again sometime.” he held her face sweetly and kissed her forehead.

She hummed a “Yes sounds good”

“My sweet mistress, take me” he said over dramatically.

“Oh I’m yer mistress now?” she chuckled “I love you muh sexy slave human”

He apparently found that hysterical and burst out laughing. “I love you so much. You never fail to make me laugh”. She felt warm and happy in his arms. Grinning he added “You know, I like your stockings, whoever picked them out must have really good taste” she laughed and rolled around wrestling him into the perfect position to cuddle. Later she posed for him to draw her.

[ofkelsi]

[ natalia dyer, twenty-three, cisfemale, she/her ] ━ did y'all see [ kelsi phillips ] walkin’ into [ galaxy drive in? ] they’ve lived in frostford for [ twenty years, ] and you can catch ‘em around town working as a [ kindergarten teacher ]. I reckon they’re pretty [ benevolent & nurturing ] but I hear they can also be kinda [ impatient & rambunctious. ] if ya see ‘em around, be sure to say hi. ━  [ car accident, nightmares. ]

CHILDHOOD years -- 

kelsi anne phillips was born on october 31st 1995 to faye allen and seth phillips.  seth was born and raised in frostford until he turned seven and his dad got a job out of state in texas--which happened to be a great move because he met faye at their new church.  

best friends since they met, faye and seth finished high school and moved to college station, texas where they both attended texas a&m university.  faye had taken a year off before going to college to be with their newborn baby girl and get their apartment all settled.  

kelsi anne spent the beginning of her childhood either in a classroom where her mama was learning or at the old woman next door’s apartment while both her parents were at class or at their jobs.  she doesn’t remember much from these years, but the smell of snickerdoodles always remind her of baking with the woman next door.  

( CAR ACCIDENT TW ) when she was three going on four, her parents and her were in the car on the way back to houston to visit their parents when tragedy struck.  their car was hit head on by someone who ran a red light.  young kelsi suffered minor scarring and a wrist fracture, but both of her parents died due to injuries from the collision.  ( END TW )

custody of kelsi was given to seth’s parents ( susanna & darwin phillips ) as her mother’s parents ( elaine & sean allen ) were still raising three children of their own ( her aunts & uncle -- the youngest of which is three years older than kelsi ).  soon after, the phillips’ moved back to frostford with their granddaughter.  -- kelsi kept in touch with her mother’s parents over the years and often visited them on major holidays with her grandparents.  

the first few months were rough, however the next year once kelsi started kindergarten things opened up.  she was a pretty happy kid.  i’d describe her as that kid who hated seeing people upset and would do something to see them smile.  like go to the flower shop and pick up a flower for them and leave it anonymously on their locker the next day just bc she wanted to see people happy.  

was a sporty kid, played softball and soccer.  she was on teams in elementary school, except once it got more competitive her grandmother had to talk her out of going out for the team.  

kelsi is very competitive and like even at a young age was that #alot to handle.  like, she still needs to check herself even playing board games because she will like get all amped up and ready to go.  

oftentimes she was told to sit still in class.  would be found tapping her foot on the floor or clicking her pen.  she’s just antsy and needs to fidget a lot of the time.  she’s gotten better at that ( once again, it has to do with being older ) but she never uses pens with caps just because she prefers the clicky pens.  

TEENAGE years -- 

once she got into middle school kelsi was focusing more on academics.  she’d always been good with school work, but her focus was always popping into several different places.  she’d often be found reading outside books in classes or working on the nights homework at her desk.  

she also started becoming more and more opinionated around these years as well ( late middle school - high school ).  kelsi isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself or others.  

once punched lance mccallum in the face after he grabbed her ass during the party homecoming weekend her freshman year of high school.  except, most people only remember the fact that she punched him, not what led up to it.  

involved in peer tutoring programs throughout high school.  it was also a way to help her make money once she got old enough to do it outside of the after school program.  

part of me says she gives off student body president vibes but i also know she would not cope well with that pressure because she’d want to please everybody and know it’s not possible.  so she was probably just like one of those popular smart kids.  

was part of a lot of after school activities, simply because she liked being busy.  but she’s also restless so sometimes she’d leave meetings for the clubs in the middle of it.  it was nothing personal, she just needed to be up and on her feet doing something else with her attention span.  but she always apologized after the fact.  

( NIGHTMARE TW ) she started having really bad nightmares around the middle of high school.  she’d always had nightmares, bad ones, even as a kid but for some reason they got worse over the years and several times in high school she woke her grandparents up with her nightmares.  which she always felt guilty about but they always told her it wasn’t an issue.  ( END TW )

CURRENT(ISH) years -- 

kelsi was really torn about going away to college or going somewhere close to home.  in the end, her choice was made for her based on the program she wanted and she went to ‘bama to pursue childhood education.  

she wound up commuting a lot of weekends and coming home often, so it wasn’t even like she was really gone.  there was a gap during her sophomore/junior year where she wasn’t home a bunch and that would be due to her breakup with her then boyfriend.  she just didn’t want to be around town as much and see him around.  ofc, she got over that and has since powered through ( i mean, she’s back here obviously ). 

kelsi went for a five year program, immediately going to graduate school after her college graduation in order to get her teaching certificate.  she’s certified in early childhood/childhood education  ( pre-k through 6th grade ).  

during college kelsi was living in an apartment with a couple of friends, splitting the rent on the place a couple of ways was easier.  plus, she had tried living on campus her first semester and had an awful experience so she made some friends and wound up living with them the rest of her time there.  

she’s got her first teaching job this year at the elementary school.  she taught before, but as a co-teacher while she was going to grad school.  this is her first year in charge of her own classroom and she’s excited as heck to be working with kindergartners.  she loves those tiny tots so freakin much!  

her favorite place has always been the drive in, just bc she loves movies a lot.  plus, the drive in is much better than sitting in a movie theater and she will go to the mat on that opinion any day.  

her grandparents retired and moved to a small retirement community/senior center area not too far from town.  and they gave their house to kelsi, since she’s their only grandchild and they could afford to continue paying for the house utilities as well as their new place.  

she’s got a year old mini goldendoodle named smee and he’s the light of her life.  she has a picture of him on her desk in the classroom.  

CONNECTIONS -- 

i do not yet have a connections page for kelsi but here’s some ideas

a best friend/ride or die that they’ve been friends since they were kiddos and they just really *clutches heart* love and support each other in every aspect of life.

maybe some cousins or something from town! i think the phillips fam has been in frostford for a while in my mind, there’s a chance she’s got some fam in town.  

she’s friendly so she’d probably have a lot of good friends and stuff.  

an unlikely duo which would be fun.  it would probably be someone who’s a bit harsher than kelsi is.  she’s got her moments, but she’s an all around happier person so someone who balances her out in that aspect. 

a first kiss/childhood crush maybe?

plots with her coworkers at the elementary/middle school 

friends turned to enemies & enemies turned to friends 

like this or message me for plots okay ily thanks for reading this bye

[hysterialevi]

When the Devil Cries pt. 33

Fanfic summary: (NO SPOILERS IN THIS STORY) After arriving in Saint Denis, Arthur ends up falling in love with a seemingly innocent pianist, only to find himself in a battle with one of the most notorious outlaws to ever emerge from America. Now, between working for Dutch and robbing money for the gang, Arthur has to also protect the man he loves as the two of them try to find their freedom.

Pairing: Arthur Morgan/Male OC

Previous chapter

This story is also on AO3

From Arthur’s POV

O’CREAGH’S RUN

ONE WEEK LATER -- MORNING

Ridin’ up to the snow-covered cabin, Hamish and I stopped just outside the front door as we tugged on our horses’ reins, coming to a complete stop.

The two of us had just returned from quite a lengthy hunt in the wilderness surrounding O’Creagh’s Run, and despite the icy weather, we actually found some pretty decent game out in the woods.

There weren’t many animals roamin’ around at the moment, but Hamish and I managed to catch a big buck we found frolicking through the white mountains. It had enough meat on it to feed us for a few days, and if we was lucky, we’d probably be able to sell the pelt, too. I only wished Eddie had been able to join us.

It was...actually quite fun huntin’ with Hamish. The man spoke to me like I was an old friend, and he always cheered with excitement whenever I agreed to go wandering with him.

It was a nice change of pace, compared to what I was just dealin’ with the week before. It felt like I...finally had someone to fill in Dutch’s shoes after he turned on me. Felt like I wasn’t bearing all this weight on my own.

I just wondered how long it would last. ‘Cause as much as I enjoyed Hamish’s company, the skeptic in me couldn’t help but dread the day it’d all finally come to an end like a rude awakening. Nothin’ perfect lasted forever in this world, after all.

And I doubted Hamish was any exception.

“Well,” Hamish said, dismounting Buell, “that was certainly a good hunt. Who taught you how to track so well?”

I hopped off my horse and walked her to the hitching post, hoisting the plump deer off her back as we both headed inside.

“Learned from my daddy mostly,” I answered, my voice straining with effort. “It’s...one of the few good things he taught me.”

Hamish picked up on my tone. “Your father wasn’t a good role model, I take it?”

A chuckle escaped me. “You could say that. Though, to be honest...I can’t really judge. The sins he got hanged for, I’m still runnin’ away from. Seems like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Well,” Hamish followed me from behind, “you carry that buck inside for me, and I’m willin’ to forgive all of ‘em, hah!”

Trudging back into the cabin, the two of us pushed our way through the thawing snow as the sun climbed higher in the sky, spreadin’ a much-needed heat across this frozen land.

A good chunk of the ice in this area had already melted over the past week or so, and if things continued on like this, I imagined we’d be able to go fishing soon.

It had been a long time since I last ate anything that wasn’t venison or canned vegetables, and the idea of relaxin’ on a boat in the middle of the lake put my mind at ease.

Though, as much as I was basking in this nice weather, I couldn’t deny that I was also worried about how easy it’d be for our enemies to track us down now that the snow was startin’ to disappear.

I mean, even though I sure as hell didn’t miss that god-awful blizzard from last week, it was the only thing that was really covering our tracks.

No one in their right mind woulda followed us through a storm like that, and the fact that it was finally gone, well...let’s just say I found myself keepin’ an eye on the tree line more often than usual nowadays.

I had had enough surprises for one lifetime, and the last thing I wanted was for Atticus or Dutch to come crawlin’ outta nowhere before putting a bullet in our heads.

Right now, my only concerns were helping Hamish, finding food, and keeping Eddie alive...and I intended for it to stay that way.

Lugging the deer into the house as Hamish shut the door behind us, we quickly escaped the chilly breeze as I plopped the carcass down in the kitchen and rolled my shoulders, happy to get that weight off my back.

“Thank you, Mister Morgan.” The veteran said with a smile, proudly admiring our work. “I don’t much like relying on others for help, but...I’m afraid I ain’t as young as I used to be. It’s nice havin’ some muscle around the house for once. Makes things go smoother.”

I returned the smile. “My pleasure. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for us.”

Hamish patted my back. “Well...you did the hunting, so I’ll get this thing ready to eat. Why don’t you go check on Eddie in the meantime? See how he’s doing. I told him not to move around too much before we left, but that boy sure don’t like staying still. Even with an injured leg.” The old man paused. “Say, has he been usin’ that cane I gave him?”

I sighed in frustration. “Not as much as he should be. Eddie only uses the cane when he absolutely needs to. Otherwise, he just tries...walkin’ around on his own.”

Hamish laughed softly at that. “Eddie’s stubborn, just like me when I first lost my leg. Don’t worry, though. He’ll adapt eventually. He’s got no other choice. Just keep an eye on him, all right? I don’t want him puttin’ more pressure on that leg than it can handle.”

“Trust me,” I said with a nod, “I will.”

Walkin’ away from Hamish as he started preparing the deer, I strolled towards the living room and began slipping off my winter coat, only to stop mid-way when I noticed Eddie wasn’t resting on the couch.

“Uh...Hamish?” I called out, raising an eyebrow. “You have any idea where Eddie could be? It don’t look like he’s in the livin’ room.”

The old man picked up a knife, gesturing to the back door. “If he’s not there, he’s probably sittin’ on the back porch.”

I peered through the frosty window. “...In this weather?”

Hamish chuckled. “Like I said, Eddie isn’t one to stay still.”

I let out a tired breath. “...Got that right.”

Reluctantly pullin’ my coat back on, I tightly wrapped my clothes around me and prepared to return to the “lovely” weather outside, gently pushing the back door open.

Luckily, the snow wasn’t nearly as relentless as it had been a couple days ago, and things appeared to have calmed down since that blizzard. But even then, my face was still red and cold from bein’ in the woods all morning.

The only thing I wanted to do right now was throw myself in front of a hot fireplace and enjoy a nice bottle of beer, but...there actually was something important I had to talk to Eddie about. It weren’t nothin’ serious or alarming, but it was probably best if that conversation happened away from Hamish.

Pushin’ the door closed with a soft creak, I searched around the back porch for a moment before spotting Eddie in a wooden chair, his nose buried in what looked like a collection of some music notes.

At the moment, he was scribbling something down in his handful of papers, and the cane Hamish gave to him was peacefully leanin’ against the side of the armrest.

I didn’t know quite how to describe it, but something about Eddie seemed to have...changed over this past week. In a good way. His eyes carried that passionate spark in them once again, and the man appeared to be less stressed, despite us technically bein’ stranded in the middle of nowhere.

To my surprise, it actually seemed like Eddie was pleased to be away from the gang. I mean, yeah, things ended in flames with Dutch -- and Rodrick practically unleashed hell itself onto our camp -- but I still expected the pianist to miss some of the people there.

They were like family to me, after all. John, Hosea, Miss Grimshaw -- they were the siblings and parents I never truly had.

For over twenty years, Dutch’s society had been my entire world, and as a young man...I couldn’t even imagine a life without them.

Eddie, on the other hand...he barely knew any of them. He only had, what, a couple of months to bond with them?

That camp may have been home to me, but to Eddie, it was probably nothin’ more than a place full of unfamiliar faces. And not only that, but a bunch of outlaws, too.

I guessed I really shouldn’t have been surprised that Eddie was more relaxed away from them. He seemed to get along well enough with some of the members, but it was clear to me now that the man was only truly comfortable around me.

I just felt a bit guilty that it took me this long to realize it.

Roamin’ towards the preoccupied man, I stood next to his chair and casually peeked over his shoulder, hoping to get his attention.

“Eddie?” I said innocently, wearing what was probably a horrendous-looking smile.

No answer.

Well, whatever he was workin’ on must’ve been important.

“Eddie?” I repeated, but a bit louder this time.

Pausing mid-action, the pianist held his pen still for a second before jolting his head in my direction, chuckling out of embarrassment once he realized he weren’t alone.

“Oh, Arthur!” he greeted, his expression lightin’ up. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come out here.”

I rested an arm on the back of his chair, pointing to the music notes.

“Whatcha got there? You workin’ on a new song?”

Eddie sighed in a regrettable manner. “Restoring it, more like. The song’s actually been complete for some time now, but the rest of the notes were burned in that fire Rodrick caused. It was supposed to be a gift for you.”

My smile grew even wider at that. “A gift?”

The man nodded. “Yeah. I started writing it when we were still in Shady Belle, but I never got the chance to perform it for you, what with the lack of pianos lazing about in the wilderness.”

I shrugged. “Maybe you can sing it.”

Eddie scoffed in an amused tone. “Me? Sing it? The goal here is for you to like it, Arthur.”

I laughed, pattin’ the man’s shoulder. “Your voice can’t be worse than mine. But...if you really wanna save it for a piano, I won’t protest.”

Changin’ the subject, I stopped leaning on the chair and took a few steps back, eyeballing Eddie’s cane with a curious gaze.

“So, how’s your leg doing? Hamish says you’ve been wanderin’ around quite a bit.”

The man grabbed his cane and laid it on his lap, examining the simple object.

Eddie took a breath. “I won’t lie. It’s...frustrating. I used to be so agile, you know. Even as a child. I was always running around all over the place. Climbing, too. Anything that was above the ground, I’d try to get on top of it. Now, though...”

He pressed his cane against the floor and pushed himself up from the chair, grunting with effort.

“...I can hardly walk on my own two feet. And I’m not even thirty years of age yet.”

I glanced at Eddie’s wounded leg, still feelin’ somewhat guilty that I wasn’t able save it.

“You’re still healing,” I reassured. “Just give your leg a break, and soon, you’ll have nothin’ more than an annoying limp to worry about. At least, that’s what Hamish says.”

“I certainly hope so,” Eddie replied, walking closer to me. “But...enough about me. How’ve you been feeling, Arthur? I imagine you must be hurting after what happened between you and Dutch. I...I know how much you loved him.”

My gaze fell to the floor at that and I bit the inside of my lip, lettin’ my guard down for just a moment.

“Yeah,” I admitted, my voice quieter than usual. “It might sound strange...but I still love Dutch, to be honest. Even though he nearly goddamn killed me. I suppose I just ain’t ready to let go of the twenty years we spent together.”

Eddie frowned in a sympathetic way, caressing my cheek. “You don’t have to let go of them. The ending doesn’t make the journey, Arthur. Even though you and Dutch may no longer be on the same side, that doesn’t mean you have to forget all the memories you shared. Just don’t forget how you got here.”

I placed my own hand over Eddie’s, grippin’ it tight. “Oh, I won’t. Believe me.”

Losin’ myself in the other man’s eyes for a minute, I snapped back to reality when I suddenly remembered why I came out here in the first place, causin’ me to reach into my satchel.

“Um -- anyway,” I said, clearing my throat, “that ain’t why I came to see you. There’s actually somethin’ I wanted to give you.”

Eddie smirked. “Oh? You have a gift for me as well?”

I took out a crumpled envelope, fumbling through its contents.

“Yeah. I didn’t tell you this back at Beaver Hollow -- considering everything that was goin’ on -- but I got a letter from Mary Linton. You remember her?”

Eddie thought for a moment. “...The woman you were engaged to?”

I nodded. “That’s the one. She wrote me again recently.”

The pianist peered at the envelope. “Well, what’s it say?”

I breezed through Mary’s message, wantin’ to get straight to the point.

“All she said was, she didn’t wanna be involved with me no more. We met up a few months ago, you see. When the gang was still in New Hanover. I helped her out with a few family problems, and saved her brother, but...now she’s sayin’ she wants to move on. That she can’t stay in contact with me any longer. But -- that ain’t the part that matters.”

Putting the envelope away, I shoved the thing back into my satchel once I found what I was lookin’ for and pulled out a beautiful wedding ring, presenting it to Eddie.

It was surprisingly still in good condition even after all these years, and the small jewel adorning the simple band twinkled softly in the winter sun, catching Eddie’s attention.

“It’s...it’s the same ring I used to propose to Mary all them years ago,” I explained, my voice low with regret. “I never expected to see it again after...well, after Mary left. But she returned it with that letter, and told me to give it to people who were in love. People who could use it.” I sighed out of despondency, unable to take my eyes off the piece of jewelry.

“I used to hate lookin’ at this thing, y’know. It...always reminded me of everything I’ve lost. Everything I’ve messed up in life. Hell, I nearly threw it off the cliff when Mary gave it back to me.” I brought my gaze to Eddie, my heart liftin’ upon seeing his face. “But now...it only reminds me of what I’ve gained. It makes me realize that, as confusing and difficult as love can be sometimes, it ain’t impossible. ...And that’s why I want you to have it.”

Smiling in awe at what I was saying, Eddie found himself to be at a loss for words as he gently brought the ring into his grasp, staring affectionately at the gift.

It looked like the man was on the verge of tears, and I could tell he was doin’ everything in his power to remain composure, but even then, it was clear that the pianist was touched.

He let out a shaky but happy breath, strugglin’ to find the right words to say.

“...Thank you, Arthur,” Eddie said sincerely, returning his glossy eyes to me. “It’s truly wonderful.”

I grinned warmly at the reaction, blushing slightly under the shadow of my hat.

“I’m glad you like it. I-I know we can’t actually get married, or have a proper wedding or anything, but I still want you to keep it. It belongs with you.”

Eddie closed his hand around the ring, holding it securely. “I won’t let anything happen to it. I promise.”

Placing his hands on the sides of my face, the pianist pulled me into a loving kiss and practically let himself fall into my arms, the two of us holdin’ each other in the middle of the snow.

I couldn’t believe what was happening right now.

After so many years of losing every person I’d grown attached to, and failin’ the majority of my relationships, I never imagined I’d find someone who loved me as much as I loved them.

It was one hell of a ride Eddie and I had been on these past couple o’ months, but no matter how wildly this mess ended or how hard we’d have to fight, I was gonna do whatever it took to keep him alive.

We were so close to finding our freedom now. I could feel it.

We just had to carry on a little longer, and someday, I knew Eddie and I were gonna live the lives we had sacrificed so much to achieve.

The only thing that stood between us and our goal right now...was Atticus Rose.

And there was no way in hell I was gonna let him stop us.

[scarletwritingwolf]

The Art of Healing

Chapter 5: Chance Meeting

Claire sat alone for dinner, as it was usual for her to do, but tonight she felt impatient.

The hubbub of the restaurant wasn’t even enough to pull her out of her thoughts. Despite the two screaming children, and the couple in the corner having a heated argument in what had likely begun in hushed tones, but was now just full blown yelling.

She checked her watch, the old Minnie Mouse face was as it had always been, but the glittering silver bands were a new upgrade. She’d been having a fit of nostalgia, the anniversary of her parents death was coming up, and she felt the need to honour them by extracting the few trinkets she’d kept from her childhood, and wearing them, or fixing them, or simply leaving them about for easy reminiscing.

The watch read 20:10. Why hadn’t Joe called yet? He was supposed to have called at 8, to let her know that he and Gail had made it safely to their hotel in Nice.

Claire had been edgy since the morning before, knowing that Joe was going on holiday and leaving her with the office made her uncomfortable and unsure of herself. Granted she only had her patients to worry about, but not having a lunch buddy, or someone to unwind with at the end of the working day, was somewhat depressing.

Just as she was considering making a call to Joe; something forced her to look up, she’d felt it before she looked; a pull of energy unlike anything she had ever felt before, like something that had the ability to alter gravitational pull.

A man was standing behind the empty chair, watching her, she recognised him instantly as the one she had seen in the waiting room on her very first day at the office. She cringed as she thought briefly of Louise; whom was still her patient, and was surely thankful that Claire’s attention had been better focused in their subsequent sessions.

“Hello, I wanted te introduce myself. I’m no’ sure if ye remember, but I attended yer practice with Dr Abernathy, for a session to be discharged from the army.”

He was rambling, and continued to do so.

“Anyway, this will sound strange, but I wanted te meet ye. Perhaps ye’ll also ken some of the people I refer to ye from my veteran support group. I’m Jamie, Jamie Fraser.”

He held out his hand, and she shook it. His hand was unusually warm for such a chilly evening, and his grip suggested a powerful strength.

“I’ve seen you after that day” she said slowly. “You and I seem to shop at, eat at and frequent the same places.” She had noticed him, and wasn’t entirely sure who wouldn’t notice him, he was taller than most men, with that halo of red hair that had first captivated her.

“Yes, we do.” He said simply. “I’ve been trying to work out how to approach ye for a little while. Honestly after I saw ye the first time, I felt a strange familiarity about ye, but I’ve since decided that I couldna possibly know ye; because surely I’d remember having met or ken someone as beautiful as ye.”

She felt herself blushing so furiously that she was certain that the redness had even reached the tips of her toes. Realising then that she hadn’t even introduced herself, and it forced a new wave of embarrassment. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to compose.

“Well that’s quite the compliment Mr Fraser, and it’s something I’m not quite used to. You’ll forgive my rudeness; I’ve just realised that I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Claire Beauchamp, why don’t you sit down?”

His whole body shifted, she felt sure he was allowing himself to relax. He took the empty seat.

“Thank ye, Claire. I dinna want to interrupt yer dinner.”

“Not at all, this gives me a chance to thank you for all of the great work that you are doing with the veterans who are attending your group sessions. I’m guessing from what you said before that you’ve spent quite some time in the army?”

As he spoke of his army years, Claire had time to notice his very blue eyes, and their slanted almond shape. His lips were full, and as he spoke, they hinted at traces of good humour. His whole demeanour was enrapturing.

They spoke for so long, that time had eluded them completely, it was quarter to eleven, and the waiters in the restaurant were quite clearly restless at their lingering presence. So the beautiful young duo got up, Jamie settled their bill, they opened the door to the street, and left a squabble of relieved waiters in their wake.

. . . . . .

He couldn’t quite believe his luck as they stepped out of the restaurant together.

He thanked the stars for Murtagh, it had been just two days previous during their return from Lallybroch that Murtagh had convinced him to pursue her properly, no more sidelines bullshit. Jamie knew he was right, and the next time he spotted her he made his mind up to just approach her and let fate decide their story.

And here he was. It had been so simple.

They were doing the dance that most people do after a good first date dinner.

Do we hug?

Do we kiss?

Do I walk her home?

Do I give him my number?

Overcome with curiosity, Jamie decided that the only logical course of action was to walk her home, just to see where she lived, and to spend a wee bit more time with her of course.

. . . . . .

“May I walk ye home Claire? I dinna really like the thought of ye walkin’ home yourself.” The words tumbled out of my mouth easily, as I realised that I quite meant them. I didn’t like to think what could happen to such a beautiful creature walking the streets alone at night.

Claire threw her head back and laughed.

“Your gentlemanly behaviour is very old worldly Jamie. I walk home by myself every night, I’m quite used to it by now. Unless there is a chance you could conjure up a carriage, I’d be happy to walk home with you, although I warn you it will be slow, I feel far to full from the dinner, wine and dessert to walk at a pace any faster than a sloth.”

“Ahhh my lady, I digress, I have no carriage to offer, as I too walked from home. Will a piggy back suffice?” I said with a grin.

I had an overwhelming desire to try to conjure a carriage right then and there, horses and all, no matter what it took. It seemed that along with giving me jelly legs, this beautiful woman was attempting to bewitch my mind as well.

“It’s a no to the piggy back ride, come on let’s start walking, it’s bloody freezing out here, I don’t live far away at all.”

Her thin jacket didn’t look overly warm, meanwhile I had on a sweater and a jacket. As we began to walk I draped my jacket over her shoulders, and without protest she wiggled into it.

“So you’ve told me about the army, and you’ve told me about the group meetings you hold, and I know I’ve already told you, but I am very thankful that those men have you to turn to....”

I watched as she continued to talk, she was fiddling with her necklace, and I had time to admire her delicate, milky white neck, and her long fingers. I began to imagine those long fingers cupping my face.

.....”Sorry, I’m droning on, perhaps I’m a little too passionate. Will you tell me about your work?” She looked up at me again, her heart shaped face had taken my breath away each time she had done this.

“There isn’t much te tell honestly, I own a construction company with my family, and we have a few restaurants, mostly I just spend a lot o’ time not doing much.”

I said this to her, knowing that in truth I spent very little time doing ‘not much’.

“A construction company huh? That actually isn’t too hard to imagine.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. And what about ye Claire, tell me something about ye; anything, I’ve been so busy monopolising our conversations this evening, I think it’s yer turn.”

“Anything?” She said with a salacious smile.

“Anything.”

“Well I might not be fit for Psychology.”

“And what, pray tell, would make you say such a thing?”

“Because for the life of me I can’t understand what it is about you that makes me want to spill my guts. To tell you my deepest darkest secrets.”

I was a little taken aback by her admission. Her candidness had been unexpected, mainly because, thus far, she had remained a closed book, giving few details about herself, and finding ways to deflect. I turned to her, instinct told me to touch her somehow, I realised that she had already come to a stop. I turned to her and cupped her chin.

“I couldn’t tell ye, Claire. But I can tell you that I feel the same way with ye. It’s like I’ve known ye most of my life.”

She averted my gaze, and fumbled a little with her purse.

“Well this is me, I live right up there. I must thank you, this is the first night I’ve been kept out so long that I haven’t been allowed to stare out of my window at the jogger who runs every night, well almost every night anyway. The poor soul has a life story he is completely unaware of thanks to me.”

“Is that so?” I’d had time to pull eyes away from her, to realise that we were in fact right across from my building, and that she had, in fact, been talking about me.

“Yes, he is a tortured soul; his parents are no longer living, and he hasn’t a family of his own, so he runs to keep himself from being lonely at the end of the work day.”

“I’ll be sure te tell him.” Jamie hadn’t the heart to tell her how close she actually was to the truth.

“T-tell him? You know him?”

“I am him.” He smiled.

“You didn’t run this weekend.” She breathed.

The electricity between them could have shocked even a passer by.

“I ken, I was at my sisters house visiting with her bairns and the rest of my family.”

“I see, well I feel like a right idiot. I’m sorry.” She did look contrite as she apologised.

“I find it flattering that ye’ve been keeping an eye on me, Claire. Take it from someone who knows, evenings can be lonely, I wouldna begrudge someone their right te look out their own window.”

Without being able to see it, Jamie knew she was blushing, he could feel the heat radiating from her.

She shrugged off his jacket and placed it in his hands.

“Thank you Jamie for a wonderful evening. It was a most unexpected and pleasant twist in events.”

“Thank ye, Claire. That it was.”

She made to turn and walk towards the door to her apartment building, but I couldn’t let her. I gently took her hand, and pulled her back towards me.

Her eyes were fixed upon mine.

I tucked a stray tendril behind her ear.

Her hand reached for my face, and she gently stroked my cheek.

I put my hand into the crook of her neck, my fingers felt like they had hit satin sheets, her skin was so soft, eventually I allowed them to intertwine with her curly, raven locks.

I sensed her body giving me permission to kiss her, and I didn’t stop to question it.

I bent down and let my lips brush hers. It took my breath away, I quite literally stopped breathing. She gently parted her lips, and we explored each other; she tasted like the sweetest honey.

After what I’m sure was a lifetime, we came apart.

Claire smiled a shy smile.

“Thank you again Jamie, that was, well, you know, amazing.”

“Can I see ye again Claire?”

“I had rather hoped so. Can I give you my business card?”

“I’d like that verra much.”

She started writing on the card.

“And this is my home number.” She said, pointing to what she had written.

I took one of my business cards out of my shirt pocket, and put it in her hand, and left my other hand come to a rest over it.

“Ye’ll call won’t ye?”

She nodded, I let her hand go, and she walked towards the door of her apartment building. She threw me a backwards glance, and gave a small awkward wave.

. . . . . .

I entered my apartment, switched on the light, and walked straight to the window. I half expected him to still be standing in the street. But he had gone.

I continued to watch, and a few moments later the light came on in his apartment.

An irrational part of me wanted to stay in the clothes I was wearing forever, because I could smell Jamie on them. But I needed comfortable pyjamas, tea, and a date with my thoughts; so that I could re-live the evening over and over again.

I caught myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat as I made myself a cup of tea. As I was adding a lump of sugar, I was startled by the sound of my telephone.

I expected it was Joe, finally letting me know he had arrived safely.

What I did not expect was Jamie’s Scottish burr.

“I tried te wait, but I wanted te call and wish ye goodnight Claire.”

“Goodnight Jamie.” I whispered hoarsely down the line.

He hung up, and I continued to cradle the phone in my hand for at least a minute afterwards. I neglected my tea, and opted to jump straight into bed. I hugged the unused pillow on the other side of the bed, I closed my eyes and imagined his lips on mine again.

At some stage, not too long after, I drifted off to sleep feeling more content than I had in years. Joe’s text sometime in the night didn’t even wake my slumber, for I was encased in my pillow haven, dreaming of my Scot.

Just me again ☺️ Apparently I’m full of inspiration this week.

[violetbeachpod]

1x01 / twelve oh one

TERESA:

Okay, so–it’s recording. Cool .

Um. It’s Wednesday. It’s been nine days since–eight days, maybe? –well, if you’re listening, at this point, you know what it was–Benji says we’re gonna publish this, but, like, no. That’s–that’s ridiculous. This is for science.

Or our memoirs. Whatever.

We’ve–the seven of us have decided to keep a log. Of what’s been going on.

Um. So. Cool. Name and deets, just in case some more weird memory shit goes down–My name’s Teresa. I’m eighteen. I’m an Aries, I like bowling and shitty pop music, and only mostly ironically. That enough fluff? I’m a freshman at, ah, Lands College, here in town, and. Studying journalism, with a minor in women’s studies, uh–anything else–I feel like this would be a better story if I start showing, rather than telling.

Or, like. Telling stories rather than just reading out my dating profile. Because that’s lame.

My dating profile’s actually–it’s a lot more detailed than that. I’m on, like, seven different sites, and every profile is. Very Different.

(text notification sound)

Anj, stop–stop listening in! You–you–dude, take a nap.

So. Anyway. Here’s what we know.

(long beat)

That was good, right? A good joke? That’s something. Um. Cuz we don’t know very much at all. There’s something there, I swear, like, I rehearsed that bit in the bathroom mirror this morning, and I was thinking, no, I won’t pull that, but–

But. Back to the point.

Y’know how, in movies, people are always like, “Nobody knows except for us?”

That’s so exclusive. So presumptuous. We don’t know if people are lying. We haven’t spoken to every person on the planet–we haven’t even spoken to anyone outside of Maryland. Outside of town. Like. We’ve watched news, but God knows, some of those conspiracies about hypnosis through CNN are real, or whatever. Y’know? Like–those conspiracies are almost exclusively believed in by, like, flat-earthing racists, so, like, they’re probably, definitely super wrong, but–I was making a joke and I’m overthinking it now. Cool.

Anyway. We don’t know who knows. Maybe someone in, like, Caracas, knows? Maybe someone in–you get my point–knows.

Or maybe we’re being Truman Showed. Wouldn’t be the worst theory to have come out of this.

I would–well, I’d hate it, but one time, back in middle school, the public library did these–these movie nights for teenagers, right? And, so, uh, a bunch of us were there, and I was sitting with Angie, cuz she was–she was the only person I knew there, of course, and she was sitting with these kids, like–uh, from the hippie school she had taken in, and–one of them was AJ, I know, and one was Charlotte. but the others, I don’t see anymore.

But anyway, she was, like, starry-eyed at the idea of her life being a TV show without her knowing. At the idea of unintentional stardoms. So maybe she’ll get a kick out of that theory.

Here’s something: I was working on my campaign notes earlier, cuz the group’s meeting tomorrow, should meet tomorrow  and I didn’t really–I didn’t like a few of the potentials, so, whatever. Irrelevant.

I checked the time, and–well. It was twelve oh one. And two minutes later, it was still twelve oh one. And now, it’s still twelve oh one.

I thought maybe my laptop was being bad again? But it said the same on my phone, and on the wall clock.

The app says time is passing. It’s been longer than fifty-nine seconds.

It’s still twelve oh one, though, is the thing. Which isn’t great, all things considered.

But, we’ll catch up on that later.

Here’s the big thing. I went back to the beach last night to see if I could recreate what happened alone, and, uh–at least. I think I did. I don’t remember going, but, uh, Angie says I did, and AJ said that when he was closing at work, he saw me walking towards it. But I didn’t–I didn’t go.

There are sixty-nine–which, yeah, nice, that’s the sex number, whatever–sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, and, like–I can make out letters on some of them them? Individual letters? But not words. And I know that they’re making words, and I know that it’s my handwriting, but my brain just–it goes somewhere else.

And other ones, that I can read, they have dumb stuff. One of them’s just a doodle of David Hyde Pierce with a caption that just says “HELL YEAH. LOOK AT THE MOON WEDNESDAY.”

It’s, like–in fairness to me, or the person I assume to be me, it’s a fairly good David Hyde Pierce. And there’s–there’s a new moon tonight, so–well.

Whatever.

It’s still twelve oh–oop. Nevermind. Twelve oh two now. Nice.

Benji wants me to take off work until this whole thing’s sorted out. Says he’ll still pay me, but, like–being yelled at by awful dudes about trivia that nobody knows is kind of the only constant in my life right now? So I said no. Obviously. Like. It sucks, but it makes me feel normal. Like the beach out by Angie’s place did, before–

Well. Maybe some recollection would be nice, I guess. Just so, like, Danny and company–like, if we end up showing them. Cuz I’m better at sticking to the facts than, say, Robin or Charlotte. So. Yeah.

So. Uh.

Most folks know that she transferred in after a semester at–well, I’m not allowed to say the name of the school in front of her, anymore, and she’s, like, giving me death-eyes out of the bedroom door. But. A certain Ivy League school. This is relevant–

Okay, maybe not, but it’s a nice set up to our establishing shot, which is, of course, her New Year’s party, nine days ago. At her parents’ place. Or, eight days ago, at her parents’ place, I guess. She told us on New Year’s Eve that she was starting at Lands on the fourth, and I offered her a stay in my dorm, cuz I had a single, and, uh, it sucked? But. Whatever.

So I said, “You know, I have a single.” And she said–wait, lemme find my journal–yes, I do write down conversations, Angie.

Alright. She said, “Oh, really, is it on–Bandcamp, Soundcloud, iTunes, MySpace? I didn’t know you–” And I said, “I meant dorm room, dude, you mentioned–MySpace?”

She said, “I still use it.” I laughed, “Of course you do.”

But, anyway. We agreed to live together, but. It was one AM. Robin Cabell dropped by with her new fiancee, said hi, and–well, like, our babysitter’s getting married, to, like, this gorgeous girl from DC, and the high school kids from the hippie school were there, and Benji was there, cuz he’s everywhere, and–

As folks left–Angie started playing Wonderwall around 3AM, so, uh, a little bit before then–it ended up just being the seven of us. Her parents are out of town–as always. Well, not always. But frequently.

They’re mad about–Blarvardgate.

I–I didn’t say it! I said something mildly close alluding to it. Stop texting me!

But. It was just the seven of us there, Angie still playing some terrible 90s song, and–Benji says, “I brought fireworks. Forgot about that til now.” Elaine, uh, Robin’s new fiancee, asked, “They legal?”

Benji said, “It’s New Year’s Day and I’m a–a bit of a town celebrity,” he said, because his podcast gets, like, seventeen downloads per episode.

“You are?” asked Elaine.

He got really proud, real fast, and he said, “Yes, absolutely, and also, I’m at some rich people’s house and it’s New Year’s Day, so, like. We’ll be fine.”

Which, fair.

And that’s about when things blew up?

Ironically, not literally, cuz he went to his truck, and brought out the fireworks, and he was–well. It was New Year’s, he wasn’t sober, so, he tripped, and those things went flying, landing in the water. It was a bad fall, he hit his head on a rock. And Charlotte was laughing, and she was wading right where the waves were breaking, and she fell backwards, so–AJ panicked, and he jumped in after her, cuz she wasn’t coming up.

And AJ came up, holding Char so she could stand, and she was coughing up water, looked like she was about to pass out. I was checking out Benji’s wound, even though, I’m, like,–blood? Not my thing, ever, at all, it’s–it’s weird and red, and Angie was getting up to check on me, and Rob and her fiancee were trying to help out the kids, and–

And the sky went bright purple.

Not, like, when it’s a sunset, and the sky’s kinda magenta? And that’s blending into the night-sky color, but–

Like, highest saturation on photoshop, highest brightness, makes-you-almost vomit cuz your eyes are burning, that bright purple.

And my skin, it felt like it was burning. I smelled salt, felt a breeze, and I tried to close my eyes, to breathe out, but I couldn’t.

And then there was nothing.

And then I woke up on the beach. I could smell salt, I was totally clear-headed–and Benji’s cut? It was gone.

My watch said it was around 4AM. My phone was dead, but–it was the first, still. The sun was rising, in–in normal sky colors.

And I woke up second. Elaine was already up.

She asked me if I saw it too.

I said I that did.

Neither of us needed to clarify what. But we did. Obviously. Because “it” could be, like, anything, like–could be that new reality show that everyone’s super into where eliminations are decided by arm wrestles–it’s, like–it’s got compelling storylines, I swear.

My phone died, Angie, so if you’re trying to communicate, I can’t help you.

Oh! Time’s passing normally now. That’s nice. That’s good.

The plan was to recount the past week’s events, as well as their psychological effect on us. That’s what we agreed on.

So. Time stopped for a little while today. That was weird. That’s important.

I guess–I’m first, so I should talk about my other big experience too.

I was the fourth of us to see something, after it all? It was the third. After work, I was walkin’ to Ramon’s? And as I passed the custard stand, I saw this woman.

She was shorter than me, uh, long sundress on that was way too summery for this weather, but she didn’t seem cold. I offered her my hoodie, cuz I at least had long sleeves, but she didn’t answer. Dark hair, big sunglasses. I’d wager maybe thirty.

She took off her sunglasses, yeah? And the sky flashed purple–the same purple, the same burning feeling all over me–

And then the same nothingness, same smell of salt, same breeze, but–

I was still standing. And we were in this space, this–this purple nothingness, no ground, no sky, no nothing, that’s a double negative, you get what I mean, and–I was still standing–more floating, which was–not as pleasant as you’d expect? But not unpleasant, either. And this woman, she looked at me,  dead in the eyes, and–

And she said–

(beat, uncomfortable)

What did she say?

(laughs)

It’s–it’s in my head, like. Tip of my tongue. I wrote it down, but it’s–it’s another individual letters making out a word I know but can’t–type situation.

But whatever.

What I’m most concerned about is my going to the beach. About the sticky notes. Like, that’s some sci-fi bullshit. Or some horror bullshit. Either or. Probably both.

Again, Truman Showed. Viable theory, here.

Or it has something to do with the Groundhog Day thing. Maybe.

I think what bothers me about this is how easy I’m accepting all this–that, like, I’m fairly sure all this is real. I know it’s–it’s weird. I know that this is sci-fi-esque, but, like–I never saw myself as a protagonist, or–any kind of tagonist, I guess, in those stories. But this–now, I think that I am.

So. Cool.

But why do I think that’s cool? I’m the–I’m the socially-stilted nerdy girl who either dies second or gets really good at guns, and I’m very afraid of guns.

So, therefore? I’m dying second.

Or, or or or, I’m Lois Lane. Charming and tough young journalist, swept off her feet by a charming stranger. Hopefully not a Superman, though, cuz–he’s not my thing. But. Yeah. I can deal with Lois.

I feel like I should know what happens next. Me or Benji, we gotta, we’re the ones who know genre like the backs of our hands. That’s why we’re friends, but–

This isn’t supposed to happen here. Like, I grew up here, and I’m–I wasn’t planning to stay here forever, obviously, but–This town, VB, it’s–it’s comforting in its boringness. Sure, it’s not– the people here are always cycling in-and-out, cuz tourism and school, and all that, but–Violet Beach is a normal-ass town. We don’t have ghost stories, we don’t have cryptids, we–we don’t have lore, or whatever. I don’t think there’s ever been a murder here, for God’s sake.

Okay, well–the hippie school’s headmaster, uh, the rebrander guy, Andrew Corielli, or–his son’s the mayor, right?–Shot that grocer, like, in the sixties. But everyone was a serial killer back then, if I can trust every true crime show ever.

But–my point is. What’s going on is not what happens in this town. What’s going on is what goes on in, like, Roswell, or–or Twin Peaks, or something.

I’m–I don’t have much else to say. That’s a conclusion if there ever was one. So. Uh.

Okay. I’m signing off. Thanks, guys. Hope to see you soon.

[belladonnaandulriched]

amped and wired, part two | chapter twelve: come for me

“Louise!” Mrs. Hamilton shouted from the corner. “Louise!”

She poked her head out of the back passenger window; Danny meanwhile raised his head from the actual passenger side of the car. The bunch of us jogged across the pavement to the front fender.

“The trash truck fucking took Scott away to the dump,” Frankie said in a single breath to Danny.

“Oh, my God, really?”

“Yeah. Lars threw something away by accident and Scott happened to be over there, too.”

“You can see what happened next,” Charlie added, panting.

“Alright, gentlemen, we're gonna have to push,” Mrs. Hamilton announced to us with a rubbing of her hands together. “Louise, you're going to have to get behind the wheel.” Louise climbed out of the back seat and behind the wheel; Mrs. Hamilton herself meanwhile took to the front seat next to her. She set her hands on either side of the wheel while the bunch of us congregated at the back of the car. Lars and I were nestled against each other behind the left tail light.

“I'm already getting a stitch,” he told me over Mrs. Hamilton's direction from the front passenger seat.

“You didn't hardly eat today,” I pointed out to him as we pushed the car from the back.

“Not really, no. I snuck a little before we went back to your place.”

“Aw—oh—ow! Oh, man, you ever gonna run out of it?” I demanded into his ear.

“Apparently so seeing as they took the remainder of her corpse,” he chided in a single breath.

The five of us picked up the pace and once we reached a good speed, we backed off and let the car coast a bit. Louise struggled to get the thing running. Meanwhile, Frankie and Danny turned to me.

“Where's the dump here, Joey?” the latter asked me.

“It's clear on the other side of town,” I told him, “we could get there on foot—I have many times, but it's kind of a bitch, though, especially since I think it might snow.”

“Well, fuck,” Frankie grumbled.

“Yeah, that's what I'm thinkin', too.” I looked down the street to find the car going off the side. That little market where we met Candace all over again, except there was a plain old sidewalk in lieu of a transformer. The passenger side of the car rolled up onto the curb; Louise shouted something.

“Looks like they lost the steering?” Lars wondered aloud.

“I haven't the foggiest,” Danny confessed in a low voice.

“Louise!” I heard Mrs. Hamilton declare. They came to an abrupt halt with the passenger side up on the sidewalk.

“The steering and maybe the brakes, too?” Charlie continued.

“In other words, that car is toast,” I concluded. The passenger side door swung open and Mrs. Hamilton climbed out; those sleek slinky boots clomped onto the sidewalk like horse's hooves.

“Grab the radar detector, too,” I heard her tell Louise. Louise said something.

“It's in the glove box.” Louise said something. “What? I swore it was in there!”

“Oh, dear,” Lars grumbled.

“By the way, of all people, I've always wondered why Mrs. Hamilton even has a radar detector,” Frankie confessed.

“That's a good question,” I said.

“Ugh—alright,” Mrs. Hamilton concluded with a sigh. “Here, I'll help you.”

She leaned in with both hands. She almost lost her balance helping Louise out of the front seat, but she managed to catch herself on the sidewalk. Louise closed the door and then she locked it herself.

“Looks like we're hoofin' it,” I said to them.

“Unless Mrs. Hamilton has a plan B,” Lars pointed out.

“As far as I know, there's no plan B,” Frankie argued.

“How'd you guys even get up here, by the way?” Lars asked them.

“Same way Danny did,” Charlie explained. “Just hitched a ride from the heart of New York City and got our asses up here because we knew upstate would be safe and a good place for us to lay low for a while.”

“So we're walking over to the dump?” Lars groaned.

“Apparently so,” Mrs. Hamilton said with a grim tone to her voice.

“Should'a darned your own damn socks while you were at my place,” I told him, and he raised a hand to slap me on the shoulder.

“Unless the busses are going?” Louise asked me.

“Today's Sunday, though,” I pointed out.

“Oh, damn.”

“Don't you have a car, though?” I asked her.

“I do, but it's in the shop. I usually walk to Black Orchid from my place.”

“And Cindy and Gwen have today off, too,” Mrs. Hamilton added.

“It's alright, though,” I told her. “I've walked from my parents' house by the lake shore to over that way with my old hockey buddies in the past before. It's kind of long, but it's not that long, though. It's not like we're walkin' down to Syracuse.”

I led the way to the other side of town. We got, I'd say, about five blocks from the supermarket when the lake effect began to take hold. I peered over my left shoulder to behold the sight of the clouds rising from the cold dark surface of Lake Ontario. Not that long, but it felt that way when it started snowing.

“Are you sure it's this way, Joey?” Mrs. Hamilton called up to me at one point.

“He's from here, Lili,” Louise answered for me. “I'm sure he knows it's this way—”

But to be honest, I really had no clue where I was going, especially since the lake effect did more to throw me than anything. I also kept expecting to see another clone of Maya laying on the sidewalk before us, just like on that one night.

I also kept thinking about what Lars did. The man killed his wife and not only lied to me about it, but he also cut her up into slices like she was a carcass or something, and proceeded to eat her. And he put the remainder of her dead body in that dumpster for safe keeping.

Scott probably found it and got curious, and it made me more nauseous than the very sight of Charlie eating a slice of the dead wife without his knowing what he had put into his mouth. At least, that was my hope. For all I knew, Scott could have found another clone.

And right as that thought crossed my mind, I spotted something in the middle of the street, just prior to the intersection. Something small, dark, and... bloody. Bloody right on the pavement. Like someone had hit someone else's dog and killed it right there. It didn't help matters that I saw something shiny on one side of the object, either, which made me think of a dog's eye. And yet it looked flattened as we got closer to it. Someone hit someone else's dog and flattened it like a fucking rubber band, eyes included?

Someone hit someone else's dog and flattened it and put a shoe on it?

No. “What the hell is it?” Louise wondered aloud. The bunch of us congregated around it.

“Looks like a—a foot,” Charlie stated. Like someone lost their foot at the ankle and kept their shoe on, and the outside of the shoe was then caked in blood.

“There's another one up there,” Frankie pointed to across the intersection. Indeed, we crossed the intersection to find a second foot. Following that was a line of pure unadulterated blood on the pavement. I could only assume, much to Lars' chagrin, that the blood would take us to the dump. Whether it was his wife's blood or from something else was beyond me.

“It's a trail,” I concluded.

“Scott probably knew we'd be following him,” Charlie figured, “so he gave us a trail to lead us there.”

“A trail of blood to lead you home,” Mrs. Hamilton said aloud.

Indeed, we kept at it along the pavement with our eyes glued to the trail of blood there. Every so often, I glanced to my left to make sure the lake effect snow was not yet there. And every so often, there was a body part on the pavement, albeit parts that looked real and also fake at the same time: there was a piece of an arm of which we walked by which had a tiny glimmer of neon light inside of the flesh. Scott must have found a clone in the back of the trash truck and gave it hell.

The wind picked up as we neared the other side of town and what I remembered was the dump. Somewhere in those piles was Scott, and somewhere next to him was the sliced and diced corpse of Lars' wife.

Sure, I knew my way around 'Swaygo. And sure, I walked that distance before. But after sprinting after Lars up a single block, eating it in a bush—a literal one plus Mrs. Hamilton's bush—and pushing a car, I was exhausted. The trail of blood seemed to run into itself, or I was running myself into the trail of blood, I don't know.

But I recognized the outer white concrete walls accompanied with a chain link fence. The trail of blood stopped at the driveway, but this place wasn't all that big. Just a single dirt lot with a bunch of trash and shit stacked up for the time being before it was taken down to the incinerator or other places, given most people there didn't know the difference between throwing something in the green garbage can or the regular one for that matter, from their own ass. I rounded the left side of the concrete walls, past the front entrance so we wouldn't have to deal with the front gate. I had this feeling, this feeling that reignited within me after Scott and I rekindled things between us. I could trust him. I could trust him again.

I reached about a foot from the front entrance when within my line of sight, I noticed a peculiar pile of trash consisting of an old television, a mattress, and—

“Scott!” Frankie called out.

He had nestled up before a small stack of old magazines and comic books, things people had just thrown out at leisure. I spotted something else next to him. Even in the dim light, I could make out the sight of arms and legs, albeit listless ones. Scott had cozied up next to her on the old mattress and propped her up against another stack of old boxes. The skin on her face was tired and old, pale and sickly, as if she hadn't eaten in ever. Her body had withered and waned into a slow breathing thing. She looked like a marionette puppet that had been stung by a bee, or a bunch of bees.

“I was wondering when you guys would get here,” Scott told us once we stood right in front of him and behind the chain link fence.

“What—What—” Lars sputtered. I recognized that black hair and that coat. Her skin was a patchwork of her own skin—I think—and the skin of who knows who else. Her eyes blinked at a slow pace. In the dim light, I could tell those were regular human eyes. No neon to be seen. The bunch of us congregated before Scott and... her.

“Gentlemen, the prototype,” he introduced us.

“This is the prototype?” Lars asked him in a broken voice.

“Made of human faces, broken bones, cow's blood, and a tree branch,” Scott continued with one eyebrow raised. “At least that's what she told me.”

“I—I am—” she sputtered in a small whisper of a voice: she did in fact have a British accent, and the way in which she spoke made me think of all of the clones that were being made in that warehouse down in the City. “—my name is Maya Sorenson, and I don't know if I am going to live to see the morning. Or if the morning might see me in order to eat me alive.” Every word she said was followed by a sharp intake of air, like she needed an inhaler or something.

“And yeah, there was another clone in the garbage truck on the way over here,” he said. “I took care of business and made sure she was put to good use.”

“Fucking hell,” I breathed out as I looked over at Lars. There was a few things on his mind, and there was on my mind, too. But one thing was for certain and that was we found the actual Maya.

[theys-a-joke]

Paper-Crossed Lovers

Heyo guys! Here’s another request I completed, though it’s long overdue, I got this request, what, three weeks ago? And im finally done with it. I’m super sorry about that. Quick shout out to my most favoritest mother @lovethyfanperson for helping me out with dialects. 

Request: hi! could you please write something about race? maybe similar to katherine and jack, except the reader isn't the daughter of pulitzer or something. just kinda rich. and she helps race with food, clothes, shelter, and stuff. thanks!

So here it is, this was 18 pages long, enjoy. (Plus the ao3 link for those who want it!) 

Everyday you made sure to walk for a bit outside, whatever the weather. Your family had a tendency to keep you inside for the majority of the day, and you just needed that breath of fresh air. And it wasn’t like they kept you inside for malicious purposes, they just wanted to make sure that you were safe and being courted by someone. They were good people, really, but they were also rich people. So whenever you did go out, you would always need to take the proper precautions and make sure you represented the family well and did everything else your mother and father told every time before you went out.

“Mother, father! I’m going out again.” You shouted as you raced down the stairs. You had finished your studies and were eager to get away from your books.

“Again? That’s the third time today, is everything alright (Y/N) dear?” Your mother said from the parlor. She was sat drinking tea and talking to the mother of another suitor.

“Yes mother dearest, everything is fine. I finished my reading and I needed to get out of my room.” You looked outside, clouds were starting to form, you should probably bring an umbrella. “Well, if you’re going out, could you get the evening paper? I didn’t manage to get one this morning. Here’s some money.” She set her tea down and walked over to her purse and pulled out some coins and handed them to you.

“Thank you mother, I’ll see you when I get back.” You gave her a hug and kiss and walked to the door. You grabbed an umbrella before walking out as well.

You had walked around for quite some time, past all the shops and restaurants. You took in the sounds and sights of New York, what a time to be alive. You were lost in thought when you heard some vague yelling.

“Pape! Evenin’ pape! Animals escape the zoo and go on a rampage!” You walked up to the boy yelling the headline. He seemed to have a cigar in his mouth, and how he was still able to clearly yell the headline was beyond you.

“Now, that can’t be true.” You said as you approached him. “What can’t?”

“The headline.” “And why’s that?” He took the cigar out of his mouth and crossed his arms defensively. “Well you would’ve seen them if they were on the streets.” “Fair point.” He paused, and looked you up and down. “Look, youse interested in buyin a pape or what?”

“I would be, if you told me the actual headline.” “It’s ‘bout the trolley strike.”

“Sweet lord, again? Well, a deal’s a deal,” You stick out your hand for the paper, to which he gives you, “and here’s some change.” You began to walk away when he spoke up again, and you turned your head to face him. “Uh, miss, this is way too much for a pape.” “Keep it, part for the paper and part for telling me the actual headline, and it’s not like my family needs it anyway.” You shrug your shoulders and were about continue walking back when you felt raindrops on your nose.

“Ah christ.” You heard the boy behind you mumble.

“Oh, do you need to borrow my umbrella?”

“Uh, I couldn’t ask that miss, ya need to get back to your own house.”

“No, I insist, we can both use my umbrella, look it’s big enough.” You opened your umbrella and walked over to the nameless newsboy.

“See?” You said with a smile.

“I guess so miss.” It was his turn to shrug, and then the two of you began walking. He told you the directions to take him to where he was going, and you chatted here and there about previous headlines.

“Here we are miss, this is where I get off, er, go in. Thanks for walkin me here.”

“No problem, and the names (Y/N) (L/N) not miss.”

“Well it’s been awful nice talkin to ya (Y/N), I’m Race.”

“It’s nice to meet you too Race, I’ll have to buy a paper from you more often.” You smirked and walked away from Race and the lodging house. This was going to be interesting.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

“Mother! Father! I’m going out to get the paper!” You had grabbed some money off of a shelf in your room, plus a little bundle you had created for Race.

“Alright dear! Just make sure your back in time for supper, Mr. and Mrs. Heiser and their family are coming over!” Your mother said from her own room. You groaned internally on your walk to Race. You knew this would never end. They just wanted you to have a nice and comfortable life, with a nice and rich man. It annoyed you that it was still happening, yet you knew why. You were brought out of your slump when you heard Race calling your name.  

“(Y/N)! Ay (Y/N)!”

“Hello Race! Tell me, what’s today’s headline?”

“Bat child found in a cave on the outskirts a New York.” He said smugly.

“And the real headline?” You asked. You and Race had fallen into this pattern of you asking for a paper and him telling you the headline he was selling it under, and then the actual headline. It was refreshing, you never really got to joke with your family, so you cherished your time with Race.

“Annodda article ‘bout Pulitzer’s hate for Roosevelt.” “Do you think he’ll ever move on?” You asked, while handing Race some money in exchange for a paper. “Over Roosevelt? Never.” He was being dramatic, making you laugh.

“Speaking of not moving on, I brought you something!” You handed Race the little bundle you had brought with you.

“You’re still on about this? Ise told ya, I don’t need ‘em.” “Well, if you don’t want them, you can give them to some of the other newsboys, and if you do, make sure to give them my regards.” You said with a shrug and a smile, knowing it would get him to take it.

“This happens every week Race, is there anything else I can say to get you to take the things I bring you?”

“Maybe youse could stop bringin’ em?” “Only until I run out of things to bring you!” You say brightly.

“Plus, I’ve seen you wearing the things I bring you, so to say you don’t like them would be false.”

“You got me there doll. They are pretty nice, say, where is you gettin’ these clothes anyway?”

“I, uh, I got it from my brother. He’s been gone a while, he died in the war a while back.”

“Oh, I’m sorry ‘bout that doll. Guess it must be difficult seein his clothes on me eh?” “Not really, it kinda makes me happy seeing them be worn again, is that weird?”

“Not really, now I never had much a family, but I would guess that seein somethin that has meanin to you everyday makes it easier to get used too. Just like how quick you got used to me.” He nudged you on that last part, and you sighed.

“You know, I think you might be right Race, you just might be right.” The two walked for a bit more, you thinking about what Race had said, and Race enjoying the view of area.

“I should probably be getting home soon.” You said, pulling Race out of his own head and thoughts.

“Yeah, the settin sun, while a lovely picture, bears a horrible reminder that we gotta part ways. Hey, hows about I walk you home?”

“I’m not sure if that’d be a good idea, my parents planned dinner with another family they’re trying to marry me off to.” You grumbled.

“Ah, the burden of bein rich.” “Hey now, I’ve got a difficult life, trying to maintain my image and all.”

“Yeah, come talk to me when you don’t know if you’ll be able to buy dinner.” You stop after he says this.

“Wait, are you serious?” You say in shock. “What, ya think I can get dinner every night like you? Nah, I gotta make sure I got enough money to buy papes for the next day, and sometimes I just can’t afford it.” His speech is nonchalant.

“Race, I, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s alright, though I gotta say, with youse bringin’ me money an’ clothes an’ such, life’s been easier.”

“I’m glad I can help. But if you or any of the others need anything, really, please tell me.”

“Good to know sweetheart. Now hows about we get youse home eh?”

“Oh, right, that, yes. Alright.” The pair of you meander back to your house, the silence solemn. When you had finally gotten back to your house, you turned to Race.

“I was serious back there, if you or any of the other guys need something, please feel free to ask me for it. I want to help you guys.” “Thank ya’ sweetheart, now I gotta be gettin back.” He turned to leave but before he could you enveloped him in your arms. He was surprised to say, but he enjoyed the feeling nonetheless.

“Have a safe trip back, ok?” Your voice was muffled by his shirt.

“Doll, when have youse known me not to be safe?”

“I mean it.” You said firmly.

“What, you care ‘bout me or somethin’?” He turned around in your arms and looked into your eyes.

“Of course I do, you think I’ve been doing all of this because I don’t care?”

“Doll, I didn’t mean it like that, I know you care. An’ I cares about youse too. I just, I don’t know how to show youse yet.” He was the one hugging you this time, his hands rubbing your back.

“I’ll see ya around, yeah doll?”

“Yeah Race.” His hands slid down your arms, ending at your hands. He brought them up to his lips and kissed them.

“Till next time.” He turned and left, leaving you on the steps to your house. You smiled and opened the door. You saw your parents in the parlor talking with the Heisers, you managed to hear what you determined to be the end of a conversation.

“. . . just went out to buy a paper, and probably got distracted.” You heard your mother's voice. You walked towards the parlor and leaned against the frame.

“Are you talking about me?”

“There she is! Yes, we were just talking about you, how nice of you to finally join us.” You could hear the joking tone of her voice and laughed.

“As you said, I got distracted. Lost track of time. Though I finished all my work before hand so you don’t need to worry about that.” You left your spot against the frame to go hug your mother. She hugged you back and pulled you into the seat next to her.

“These are the Heisers, Elizabeth and her mother Cordelia.” “It’s a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances.”

“The pleasure is ours.” Cordelia said.

“Where’s father?” You asked your mother.

“Outside with Charles and James.”

“Smoking cigars no doubt.” You commented.

“Of course, what else does your father do?” “He acts as if we’re never going to run out of money.” You were exasperated with his constant consumption of cigars. At least Race always seemed like he had the same one. But it worried you still. What if that killed him off early?  

“It doesn’t quite seem like it though, does it dear?” Cordelia joked. She seemed nice enough, though you knew these types. Everyone one of them were always there just for the money. They didn’t quite care about what you wanted, that’s how it always was. That’s what drew you in most about Race, that he didn’t care about your money or your social standing. He liked you for you, and as cliche as it sounded, you enjoyed it. While in your daze, the conversation had carried on about more trivial things. You were brought back by the sound of a door opening and the closing shortly after.

“Ah, George dear,” Your mother to get your father’s attention, “why don’t you bring Charles and James over here to meet (Y/N).”

“Ah yes, at long last, the great and wonderful (Y/N) is finally home.” “Oh, my ever charming and darling father, how are you?” You got up to hug your father, ever the hardy man, a bit hard headed too. Yet you loved him despite it.

“I’m doing quite well, I had a chat with these fine gentlemen and they are some of the funniest people I have met in all my years. Behind you, of course, my dear. And how are you doing?”

“I had quite an eventful day, I went for another walk through the city. Stopped by the bakery, the flower shop, chatted with shop owners, the usual.”

“Did you at least buy a paper?” Your father asked, jokingly.

“As a matter of fact, I did.” You took out the paper and handed it to your father.

“I also had a very nice chat with the newsboy selling the paper. They all seem to be quite interesting young men.” You mentioned it offhandedly, hoping that no one would really critique what you had said.

“Chatting? With a newsboy? I didn’t know they knew basic english.” The son said. He was either James or Charles, which one you didn’t really care.

“They have to, how else would they sell papers!” Elizabeth said, chuckling.

“(Y/N), why would you be talking to one of them, you’re just supposed to buy a paper from them.” Your mother scolded.

“They provide a new perspective and can be quite thoughtful.”

“Sure they can.” The boy scoffed. Good lord he was annoying.

“At least they’ll listen to what I have to say and aren’t judgemental like someone I barely know and really don’t have the desire to get to know.”

“Well I’d never!” Cordelia exclaimed.

“Mrs. (L/N) please contain your daughter! It’s not right for a girl to be making such accusations!” The father said.

“Please, I don’t even know either of your names, you have no right to be talking about what I should and shouldn’t be!” You shouted at him. You were completely done with this conversation and stormed off. You headed towards the door and heard your mother shout at you.

“(Y/N) (L/N) you come back here right now!”

“I’ll be back later! When the ever so lovely Heiser's have left!” You slammed the door closed. You were unable to deal with these people. No discussion had ever gotten that heated. Though you hadn’t brought up the newsboys in any discussion ever. At least until now. Though had you brought them up earlier, you were sure more conversations would end like this one. You didn’t even know where you were going until you looked up. You had brought yourself to the lodging house. Maybe that’s why things had gotten so personal. Maybe you felt like it wasn’t just the newsboys you were defending, but a certain one in particular. How would you even get up there to meet him. You walked around the building, looking for options, checking your surroundings to make sure you were still safe. You saw a balcony with clothes that looked all too familiar. You managed to climb the fire escape connected to building and stopped once you had reached the balcony with the clothes. And when you looked through the window, sure enough, there was they guy you had given the clothes to. You knocked on his window, causing him to jump.

“(Y/N)? What is youse doin here? Shouldn’t you be at home?” He opened the window and helped you in. You were glad to see he didn’t have his cigar in his mouth.

“Yes, well, you see, I had a disagreement with my family and had to leave.”

“Youse sure it was just a disagreement?” “That doesn’t matter, what does matter is that now that I’m here, I want to meet some of your friends.” You got up off of his bed and dusted off your clothes. The want to look presentable still heavily ingrained into you.

“Well alright then. Come one, I’ll give ya the grand tour.” He took hold of your hand and lead you through a doorway that opened into a hallway. He told you about each of the rooms and where everything was until you came into a main room. There were a couple guys in there playing a card game, though they lifted their heads as you entered.

“Well hey now, whos the goirl Race?” “And how long you been hidin her?” Out of the two boys who had spoken, one had red hair and the other was quite short.

“Albert, Romeo, Specs, Jojo, Elmer, this is (Y/N), a friend o’ mine.” He wasn’t quite sure what to call you, as he wasn’t quite sure of the relationship the two of you had, so he thought friend would be the best for now.  

“Well, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you sweetheart. The name’s Romeo.” He came up and bowed in front of you, and to be extra dramatic, he kissed your hand.

“The pleasure is all mine.” You returned his dramatic gesture with an over the top curtsy causing him to laugh. Though, you didn’t spend to long laughing due to the arm that slid around your shoulder.     

“Don’t pay him no mind doll, he does this with everyone, and I mean everyone, even me.”

“And who might you be exactly?” “Well you, can call me Albert.” “We all call ya Albert ya nitwit!” Shouted one of the boys from the table.

“Then I’m glad to be included?” You said, hesitantly. You weren’t sure if they were really including you or not.

“Any friend of Race’s is a friend of ours doll.” Another boy said from the table. Gosh, you were really going to have to get to know their names.

“That’s good to know, and I’m sorry for barging in on all of you like this. I needed to get away from my family for a bit.” “It’s alright girlie, bein able to see youse is a good enough apology.” Race said, sighing.

“I’ll make sure to return the favor someday.” “Ahh, no need. With everything youse been givin me lately it seems Ise owe you.” “Wait, Race, this goirl is the one that’s been givin you all the clothes and food and such?” Said somehow another boy from the table.

“Yeah, this is her. Ain’t she a gem?” He gave you a squeeze and you smiled.

“You sure youse ain’t gone soft Race?”

“I sure have, and lemme tell you, I love it.”

“Aww Race, are you saying you love me too?” “Maybe I am sweetheart.” This caused you to blush, you weren’t really sure what was going on between you and Race. You just went along with it, at first, out of fun, but later on you had developed feelings for him, and in fear of losing the relationship you had with Race, a relationship where he didn’t care about your money or your family status, he cared about you and your friendship. But now, he was saying he loved you. Sure you knew he cared about you, but love? Maybe he meant it platonically, like he loved you as a friend. But maybe he loved you romantically, and if he did, now would be the best time to tell him.

“Hey, (Y/N), sweetheart, you all right?”

“Good job Race, ya broke ‘er.” “Nah, she’s just thinkin, ain’tcha (Y/N)?”

“Race? I don’t think sh-” “I love you too Race.” You stated suddenly.

“What was that doll?” He seemed shocked at your sudden outburst after your silence. “You said you loved me and I said I love you too.” You said simply.

“Well I’ll be, looks like Race finally got himself a goirl!” This came from a new guy, who had just walked in. The confusion on your face was evident as Race introduced him promptly.

“(Y/N), this is Jack, the head of us newsies.” “Oh, it’s nice to meet you! I heard some pretty nice things about you.”

“Well the pleasure is all mine doll. And I would hope that Race speaks good of me.” He winked at you and you smiled, a ladies man just like Race said.

“He does, he speaks pretty highly of all of you, and actually, now that I’m here, this would be the best time to learn names.” “You know the Albert, Romeo, and Jack, so the one in the specs is Specs, the guy that looks like a cunning fox is Jojo, and Elmer’s the one at the end of the table not paying anyone any mind.” Each of the boys waved when Race had told you the names. “It’s nice to properly meet you all! I’m (Y/N) if you didn’t know already.” “Oh sweetheart, Race talks about you all the time, we have a pretty good idea of who you are.” Albert said as he walked back to the table.

“So you talk about me huh?” You questioned jokingly. “And with that I think we’ve had enough socializin so (Y/N) and I are gonna go get some sleep.” Race steered you buy your shoulders back to his room. As he did you heard Jack yell from back where the other boys were playing cards.

“Make sure ya keep ya hands to yaself Race!”

“Shaddup Jack!” Race yelled back.

“I apologize for them, they are usually like this and I didn’t warn ya.” Race said as you approached his room. He sat on his bed and put his head in his hands. “It’s fine Race, really.” You sat down next to him and rubbed his back. “They all seem like pretty nice guys. Just like you told me.”

“Yea, just, your comin from something with your own family and I don’t wanna add on to your stress, ya know? I wanna help.” “And you are helping! You let me in and let me stay and let me meet your family! Plus, you let me be open about my feelings. . .” You trailed off at the end of your sentence and reached for Race’s hand. You laced your fingers with his and began playing with them.

“Yeah, about that, Ise gotta know, did ya really mean it?”

“Of course I did, why would I ever lie about that? Why would I ever lie to you?”

“I know I know, but it just seems so, impossible? That someone like you could end up with someone like me.” “Race, take a look at the situation right now, does this seem impossible?” You wave your laced fingers in front of his face with a faint laugh.

“But what about your family?” “To hell with my family! If they don’t like you it doesn’t matter. I like you, love you, even.”

“You really willing to leave your family for me?” “I would, in a heartbeat. I would’ve sooner too had I known about your feelings earlier.”

“Now I wish I had told you earlier.” He leaned his head against your shoulder and exhaled heavily.

“Hows about we get some sleep huh? This has been pretty excitin and I need my beauty sleep.” “You’re already pretty enough Race.” Your voice was muffled by his hair.

“Aww, thanks doll. But I’m still tired.” He, to the best of his ability, flopped down onto the bed, his hand still in yours, effectively pulling you down with him. After you had fallen he had wrapped his arms around you.

“Goodnight (Y/N).” He whispered.

“It really has been, hasn’t it.” You whispered back.

THE NEXT DAY

Race had gotten up as usual, ready to sell papes, but when he tried to get up, there was a weight on his arms preventing that. Then he remembered how you had came in the window last night and everything after and opted to go back to sleep, deciding that after all the things you had given him, he really didn’t need to work for a few days. Though, out of habit, he couldn’t go back to sleep. So instead he just watched you. He watched your breathing and the sunlight being cast on your face and really looked at you. You were beautiful. And you were his. And he was yours. He wouldn’t have it any other way. After a while, he decided to wake you up, it would probably be better to get you back to your place sooner rather than later.

“Hey, (Y/N).” He said softly, trying to nudge you awake. He tried again, though a little more forcefully, and that seemed to get you up.

“Hmm?”

“Youse gotta get up (Y/N) and get back to your place.” “Why? It’s so warm here.” You snuggled up  closer to Race, and he sighed.

“Your parents is probably worried an’ waitin for ya.”

“I thought we were going to forget about my parents.” “Naw, we can’t do that. Theys still your family, and they gotta know youse is alright.” “Carry me home?” You looked up at him with your eyes wide and pouting.

“You gotta get up though.” As soon as he said that you finally found it in yourself to get out of Race’s bed.

“Your turn.” You said to him, making him laugh.

“Hold on, I gotta prepare for carryin you, it’s one thing to carry papes, anodda to carry a person.” You rolled your eyes and waited for him to get up. Once he did, he motioned for you to come stand behind him. You jumped onto his back and he caught your legs. He straightened up and proceeded to walk down the hallways and stairs until you were outside.

“Now sweetheart, I’m not exactly sure where ya live, so youse gotta give me some directions.” When he didn’t receive a response, he looked at your head which was on his shoulder, and you had fallen back asleep.

“For crying out loud.” He mumbled to himself. He shifted you on his back for a bit, and nearly dropped you. That seemed to get you to wake up.

“Ahhh! Race! What in the name of the lord? Why would you do that?” After he had brought you back up, you secured your arms and legs around him much tighter than before.

“You had fallen asleep, and I don’t know where you live exactly.” “Alright, just, don’t do that again, okay? You scared me.” “I’m sorry doll, I promise it’ll never happen again.” “Ok, I forgive you. Anyways, my house is down about three blocks from here, then you take a right and go another block, then you’re there.” “You live that close?”

“How do you think I got to the lodging house so quickly? And remember the first time we met? I walked you here and then walked home because it was so close.” “Ohhhhh.”

“Now shush, I’m trying to sleep.”

“Hey now, is that any way to treat the guy who is ever so graciously carrying you home?” He shifted you behind him again, and out of fear your grip tightened.

“That is not funny Race.” “It’s kinda funny.”

“You are impossible.” “But you still love me.” “I wouldn’t if you drop me.” “Don’t worry doll, if you do fall, which you won’t, I’ll be there to catch you and pick you up.” “Oh my hero.” By the time Race had brought you home, the sun had risen a bit more, making his blonde hair a beautiful shade of gold.

“Alright doll, time to hop off the ol Racetrack rail track.” He let go of your legs but this time you didn’t fall. You turned to face him to say goodbye.

“Thank you for taking me home Race, it was quite kind of you to do that.” “Oh anything for my goirl, right? Plus, now we’ve both walked eachother home. We’re even.” “On that field at least.” You chuckled.

“It’s kinda bittersweet, ain’t it? I’m takin you back to the people keepin us apart.”

“Hey, they aren’t keeping us apart, I’ll come visit you, and until then, you can have this to remember me.” You kissed his cheek sweetly, and he seemed to melt.

“And once we’re old enough, we can spend our lives together, alright? Nothing will keep us apart then.”

“Yeah, a nice house with just you an’ me.” He said dreamily as he pulled you closer towards him.

“Here’s something from me to hold you over till that happens.” He took your chin in his hand and brought his lips to yours. His kiss was much more passionate than the one you gave him. He put his forehead against yours and brought his hands to your face.

“I love you (Y/N) (L/N).”

“I love you, Racetrack I don’t know your last name.” He smiled at that.

“Higgins, it’s Higgins.”

“Well then I love you Racetrack Higgins. And I always will. But for now, I have to go. It’s been absolutely lovely.” You brought your hands up to his and intertwined your fingers. You gently pulled his hands away from your face and gave them a squeeze. Then you let go and left Race standing there bewildered at how he had ever managed to meet you.

You were able to sneak upstairs into your bedroom, and after all the excitement of the morning, you couldn’t fall asleep again. You didn’t have any work to do so you choose to take some time to read. That’s how your mother had found you after she woke up and came into your room.  

“Oh (Y/N)! Your home!” She gasped. She ran to your bed and enveloped you in a hug.

“Oh I was so worried about you after you stormed off I had no clue where you went and your father! Oh he was so scared you would get hurt out there! I’m just so glad your home dear.”

“You act as if I’ve been gone for weeks mother.” “Oh but that’s what it felt like dear!” “Well I’m back now and mother I must tell you I met this boy a wh-” “You met a boy! What was he like? Has he been like any of the suitors?” “Please, if he were like the suitors I would hardly give him the time of day.” “What problem do you have with them? There all fine, upstanding young men.” “They’re all arrogant, entitled, greedy, bratty children. They have no respect for anyone and are completely fine in expressing that. The boy I met may be a bit arrogant, but he’s got none of the other traits.” “Well who is he?”

“He’s a newsboy.” “A newsboy, really? Your father might not enjoy that fact.” “You know who would? Edward.” “(Y/N) please this is hardly the time to bring him up.” “You know it’s true. You know the respect he had for the working class. You know he wanted to support and protect us if there ever came a time for it.” “So he did, and you know what he got for it? Death.”

“The war wasn’t his fault!” “But he didn’t have to go and fight in it!” Your raised voices had brought your father to your room.

“What’s going on here? (Y/N)? Oh thank the stars you’re back! Did you mother tell you I was worried? Of course she did she’s your mother. But, truly, what is going on here?” “I’m in love with a newsboy. There. It’s been said. And I was having a disagreement with mother about how Edward would approve of it.” “There is something enticing about working, isn’t there.” “George! Don’t encourage her!”

“What? She clearly hasn’t liked any of the suitors so why can’t she choose her own lover?”

“Well, that’s a fair point, but still George shouldn’t we-” “Mary, I really don’t think there’s any way to change her mind. You saw how she took the disrespect of the newsboys last night.” “Yet I worry still. I just want you to have a nice life is all dear.”

“I know mother, and just because I’m in love with a newsboy, who does happen to have a name, Race, doesn’t mean I won’t live a nice life. I don’t want to leave this family for good!”

“Alright dear, if you truly love him, who I am to stop you.”

“Oh thank you mother, thank you father.”

Though the day had started out bright, it became gray soon after. You didn’t mind, the rain was calming to you and a nice thing to read to. Your little bubble was broken when you heard knocking on the door downstairs.

“I’ll get it!” You rushed downstairs as quick as you could, you didn’t want to leave whoever was the door wait out in the rain for long. You opened the door to see quite a familiar face.

“Race? What are you doing here?”

“Ise was in the neighborhood, and got caught in the rain.” “Oh my god, well come in! Don’t just stand there!” You ushered him in and lead him to the parlor. You went to grab a towel for him and took out some soup for him. When you came back he seemed smaller and kind of uncomfortable as he looked around. You handed him the towel and offered him a seat.

“Here, dry yourself off and have a seat, I’ve got some soup I’m about to put on to keep you from getting sick.” “Wow, thanks, youse uh, didn’t need to do all this ya, know. Ise wasn’t out in the rain for more than 5 minutes.” “Race, your shivering. I’m getting you that soup.” You got up to go back into the kitchen to make the soup. It was simple enough and ready quickly, you let it cool only a bit before bringing it to Race.

“Here, eat.”

“Alright boss, I’m eatin.” He ate the soup and stopped shivering.

“So, what brings you out here?” You sat next to him as he ate. “Ise was doing what you do, takin a walk.”

“And you just so happened to end up here?” “I did, as a matter o fact.”

“I guess rainy days are our special days, huh?” “How do ya mean?” “We met on a rainy day, and today, another rainy day, was our first kiss and now here you are.” “I guess youse is right.” “When am I wrong?” You smiled and leaned into him. He brought his slightly damp arm around you, pulling you closer to him.

“You’re so warm doll, like a heated blanket, care to warm me up?” “Sure.” You pushed Race down on the sofa and climbed on top of him, splaying yourself over him to warm him up.

“Hey, how many times do I gotta thank you for everything you do? Cuz I’m thankin youse again.”

“I’m not sure Race, all I know is that I’m never going to stop helping you, so maybe that means you’ll never stop thanking me.” “I can see the headline now, ‘man thanks himself to death’.” “And do tell, what’s the actual headline?”

“Annoda stinkin article on Roosevelt.”

[countcalebwrites]

My military experience Pt. 2

So yeah. I left out a few things in Pt. 1. Minor stuff. The time I pretended I had to use the bathroom to give my foot a rest. I left out a lot of stuff about marching. We had to march. A lot. At specific cadence. The training instructors were trained to look at everyone’s timing at once, so you best not fuck that up. 

When you talk to a training instructor, you’re required to start the statement off with “Sir/Ma’am, Trainee [last name] reports as ordered!” Exception being simple statements like “Yes sir” and etc.You’re also required to say “permission to adjust?” if you want to move your hands while talking. The training instructor I had reminded us a lot, as if you don’t say that before moving your hands, he’s allowed to take violent action towards you.

Another thing I left out in Pt. 1 was my first lunch break. I thought lunch time would be a rather chill moment and a break from all the hostile shit, but boy was I wrong! You’re supposed to carry your food and walk a certain way or you get CHEWED out. When you walk by all the instructors who are eating, they look for things to chew you out on. Scary. You’re not allowed to talk during lunch, or you also get chewed out. I experienced this. I asked someone to pass the ketchup and my training instructor flipped. So I tried to use sign language and pointed at the ketchup then I pointed at myself. They understood. I was halfway done with my food and then lunch ended. You’re supposed to eat REALLY fast. 

Anyway, it was eventually recommended that I get transferred to med-hold. I didn’t tell my training instructor about this for a while. Idk. The news got out in my dorm that I was transferring out. Some dudes walked up to me and told me they liked me and didn’t want to see me go. That was pretty touching cause I didn’t think anyone cared about me like that. One dude asked if I ever went to LSU, and how he almost played against them as a punt returner, but he got kicked out of college for weed and ended up joining the air force as his new path.

Real shit.

Anyway, I packed all of my stuff in this heavy ass bag and got escorted to my new dorm. I had a wingman who was being seperated from training. He got into a fight with someone. He was on one of the last weeks of training, too. I figured I shouldn’t fuck with him.

We had to wait in this office to talk to this high-ranking dude before getting transferred. I was pretty bored. I decided to read the small bible they gave me at church. I got yelled at for reading that and was told to read my air manual. I was like “aight whatevs” in my head. I didn’t care what I was reading. I read some of the combat section of the manual. It told me that kicking someone in the balls is a very viable combat strategy. Word.

Got called in. Dude asked me my plans in life blah blah. Then he approved of me leaving. 

One rule I didn’t mention is the fact you’re supposed to have a hat on outside at all times. You’re also never supposed to wear it indoors. You have to develop a quick technique of folding it and unfolding it a lot to put it in your pocket. I had my heavy ass bags and etc and I forgot to put my hat back on when I walked outside. A training instructor backed his truck up and yelled “HEY YOU. NICE HAT. REAL NICE HAT YOU GOT THERE. NICE HAT MAN!!!”

My personal training instructor (who didn’t notice I didn’t have my hat on) told me to put it on. Fuckin weirdos. 

Fast-foward. I’m in med-hold. Med-hold is where you go if:

1. you are injured

2. you are overweight or underweight

3. you are suspended/about to seperate

If you fall into one of the above categories, you go to med-hold and they decide what happens next. Some people get sent back to training if they get their weight right or their injury heals. Some people get sent home after further doctor visits and etc. That was me.

Med-hold isn’t nearly as hostile as the rest of the training, but it can be. Some of the people there might have mental disorders, so the training instructors are a bit more chill. After I got briefed on everything and temporarily got my cellphone back to call my parents, I went to my new dorm. I pretty much went to sleep immediately. I was even more sleep-deprived than I was before.

When I woke up, this white dude was laughing at me saying I was in a pretty deep sleep, as he was shooting rubberbands at me the whole time without me flinching. I didn’t really know how to respond to that. His nickname was McCrazy, and you can kinda guess why they called him that.

Uusually med-hold dorms have a training instructor, but they just happened to be short on people. So we kinda had our own rule there. We had pretty crazy dorm chief. (a dorm chief is the same rank as you basically, but he’s responsible for keeping order and can tell on you to a training instructor)

One time, after we showered, he walked out naked and said “everyone admire my HUGE dick. Don’t worry, it doesn’t make you gay to admire a dick.”

One morning he woke up and began singing “I love my mamacita, I give her my burrita”

Another time he walked in and said “yo I was on a scouting mission to see what kinda bitches I can fuck when I get outta here”

This one white dude referred to him as a “stereotypical black dude” which landed him a side-eye (from me). Anyway, dorm chief basically tore his ACL during training and wasn’t allowed to go home or anything because the military pretty much doesn’t like to send people home with injuries to avoid lawsuits or something like that. 

I kept to myself for a good while, but med-hold is SO BORING. You’re required to clean your dorm and make your bed and report every morning and etc, but you’re mostly not doing anything except for talking to people in the dorm if you’re not going to one of your doctor’s appointments.

I ogt so bored I started doing a lot of real-life trolling. Like walking up to this one guy and saying “say bruh, you wanna start something?” all menacingly. Then saying “Cause you look rather educated, I think you’d make a good partner if we started a business” He laughed and told me “man I thought you were tryna fight or something”

I did this kinda stuff a lot. One day I wrapped myself in tattered sheets and told everyone I’m an ancient sorcerer who can cast spells. Don’t judge me, I had to entertain myself somehow!

Other people had their own troll routines too. This one dude I knew (we were very cool) pretended to be gay a lot. It was probably a kinda homophobic routine, but it was just hilarious to me because of how he executed it. Like one time we were all going upstairs and he yelled “mmmhmmm. get yall sexy asses up them stairs”

Then another time he walked up to me and he was like “yo man, you tryna get me to suck yo dick or something?? Walkin’ round here like that” lmao

There were a lot of hypothetical discussions and etc in our dorm. “Who would win in a fight, Hulk or Goku?” I pretty much said Goku for every hypothetical. Eventually our dorm chief chimed in and he was like “man. Y’all niggas should be picking Goku everytime for that shit”

Speaking of the dorm chief, he eventually told me “Yo Bailey. You didn’t really talk much when you first got here, but you talk a lot now. Even though you’re fucking weird, I’m glad you’re talking and shit now”

There was this one dude in our dorm, he was in charge of door duty. That’s not the official name for it but yeh, it was door duty. Basically, you sit/stand at the door and do a security clearance for people exiting and entering. People have to show ID and you’re supposed to verify it and ask them to come in. I did this duty a few times.

One time a training instructor came (you’re supposed to screen training instructors too) and I asked him to ID and he told me his name. I thought this was a trick and asked him to show ID again and he told me “OPEN THIS GOD DAMN DOOR” and I was like “*cough* access granted” and let him through.

Another time, a dude from a different dorm came and asked for our dorm chief. I told my dorm chief and he was like “yo tell him I’m not here” So I did. Then the dorm chief said “wait nevermind” and came to the door. The guy I just lied to looked at the chief, then looked at me and said “yooo you bitch ass nigga” lmao

Anyway, the door duty guy was weird. He was from Wisconsin. He told me that there’s not many black people from Wisconsin, so he wanted to “study” me. Weirdo.

Speaking of racism, this one white dude got transferred in our dorm, and I HATED him. He was really racist. He made jokes about black girls being too loud and I wanted to beat his ass. The assistant dorm chief who was afro latino basically said he was excited to bully that guy.

Every week, we were required to attend a “don’t kill yourself” meeting. It was boring as shit. But that was clearly an issue, as some people probably ended up mentally fucked from knowing they were stranded there for so long if their injury took too long to heal.

At times, it felt like I’d never get to home or return to training. 

I had a few appointments I ended up going to. One I went with this one dude, I remember his last name was Farr. He was cool. I remember we debated some random shit in the waiting room and we asked this one woman for her take and when she left he said in a semi-british accent “I must say, she had quite nice cleavage” The accent was funny cause he was definitely a southern black dude.

But yeah. to be honest, she did. He wasn’t lying. Speaking of cleavage, this might be TMI, but I thought I developed erectile dysfunction or some shit. I hadn’t been sexually aroused in so long lmao

Anyway, I also remember the TV talking about Clint Eastwood talking to a chair or some shit? Was weird. Being in military training kinda cuts you off from the rest of the world. I had no idea what kinda stuff was happening in the news. 

The foot specialist doctor who saw me told me there was pretty much nothing that could be done for my foot except surgery, and that the military wouldn’t want to pay for that.

He was right. After rehab and a few more checkups, I eventually got an orange armband. That armband means you’re getting sent home eventually.

Eventually. Like I said, it’s not a simple process. A lawyer has to terminate your contract, etc. All that waiting sucked.

I remember the A/C dying and us being allowed to go to the mall and shop and shit with our paychecks. That was cool. We HAD to leave and not stick around be cause San Antonio is hot as fuck. It was regularly 100 F and we had winter uniforms on. Some dudes bought magic the gathering cards, yugioh cards, etc. One dude bought a basketball for some reason. I didn’t really buy shit. 

I remember going to this one chicken place on the base and falling in love with the girl who took my order for my chicken tho. I was telling myself stuff like “Damn...she def wants me cuz she took my order with a genuine smile. Then I had one of my trademark inner debates. Like “nigga, that’s what she’s paid to do. She don’t want your ass. You can’t talk to women here anyway.”

The more cynical me had a point. 

Anyway, after we ate I remember us going to this old ass theater and watching a movie. It was Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I got nacho cheese on my uniform and it came right off and I was all amazed by the stain technology. Diary of a Wimpy Kid wasn’t memorable, by the way. I forgot what happened.

Oh, I forgot to mention: I was sick. I had the damn flu. Sharing space with 30+ dudes probably does that.

Remember the racist guy whose ass I wanted to beat? One time I came back and found him drinking out of my canteen. It had my name on it. I told him to keep it. Who knows what kinda germs that shithead had. $10 down the drain!

When we got our A/C back, things were a lil better. I was still pretty sick, but at least I wasn’t going through extreme temp changes anymore. We kept having our nerdy discussions. This one dude was talking about his Pokemon team and naming pokemon whose names I didn’t recognize. I was kinda upset by that cause I used to run a Pokemon fansite. Smh. He was a native dude from Louisiana. He told me if he lived in the town I’m from, he’d probably kill himself.

Aight then.

I ended up coughing a ton from being sick. Especially at night. Oh, by the way. Two people are required to patrol the dorm at night while everyone sleeps. I had that duty once. The buddy I mentioned earlier who would do the gay trolling routine told me to drink water and don’t worry about doing my patrol, he’d handle it for me. I really appreciated that. 

I didn’t want to keep people up with my coughing and sickness, so I slept in the bathroom. It’s not as bad as it sounds. One time someone walked in, pissed, and left. Then he went back in and did a doubletake towards me and went “Yo Bailey, WHAT THE FUCK”

and left.

Weeks passed. I’m still not home yet. I was getting really annoyed. Also, time seems to go by a LOT longer in a military dorm. My first day felt like an entire week had passed. One time I volunteered to help deliver some documents. That was a good idea. The people I delivered the documents for told me they’d help me get home faster for helping them.

The day finally came. My name was called. “You get to go home” I was so happy. Wearing regular clothes again felt wild. As a trainee, you’re kinda trained to move out of the way for training instructors and higher-ranked people. When I had on jeans and a t-shirt, I moved out of the way in this hallway for an instructor he was like “hah, it’s cool brotha, just pass”

I felt human again. Not being yelled at by an instructor felt legit. This one guy called me by first name, which I had to get used to again. Was kinda weird.

I got to the San Antonio airport and this one military guy saw me with documents in my hand (they were military seperation documents) he was like “yo you getting deployed bruh?” I was like “nah, the opposite lol”

Ended up at the airport in Dallas. I was alone this time. I ended up lost for 45 minutes. That airport was fuckin huge. Imagine a sick dude in an airport wandering around for almost an hour. Not pretty. My flight to New Orleans was delayed anyway though.

Finally got to New Orleans. Finally got home. Got on my computer. Played Channel Orange. I wanted to listen to that so bad for some reason.

SHE’S GIVING ME...PLEAASSSSUREEEEEE

[sadwritingtrash]

Mistake

summary: Veronica makes a mistake, which leads to something she never wanted.

Warnings: like a couple swears? Veronica cheating? 

word count:1313

Y/n L/n and Veronica Lodge were relationship goals. They loved one another very much, and everyone knew that they would never do anything to hurt one another. Of course, nothing can ever be perfect in the real world, nothing can have a happy ending. Their relationship ended in the worst way possible, and it was the night of Jughead’s birthday party.

“I should’ve known,” you mumbled pushing past her to get out of her bedroom, “you know, my mom warned me about you. She told me how you’d play me, and i can’t believe that I fell for it. I mean why would Veronica Lodge be interested in a no one like Y/n L/n?” you bitterly laugh and fight the tears that are trying to escape from your eyes.

“I’m sorry!” she yells, “you had already left the party, and you know how I felt because of my parents! You weren’t there for me when i needed you!” she yells tears streaming down her face.  “Just like you haven’t been there for me for the past few weeks.” she finishes and starts sobbing.

A pang of guilt hits you, but you ignore it. “My mother is fucking dead Veronica! I’ve been with her at the hospital, she died last night!” You tell her.

Walking towards her door, you turn back and look at her, “You told me at the beginning of our relationship, that you were different. You were a liar, you still are a liar.” you end quietly, before walking out of her room.

Veronica sat frozen at the news of your mom, how had she not know? The more she thought about the past, the more she realized that she had never really payed attention to you, and had ignored you or interrupted you when you tried saying something to her.

You sit at a booth in Pop’s, mindlessly playing with the straw of your milk shake when your thoughts are interrupted by the door opening. You glance at the door and see Cheryl walkin, which is unusual as she rarely goes to Pop’s.

“Hey Y/n/n. You okay?” she asks and sits across from you, Cheryl had been one of your closest friends since you were younger. You lived near her do to your parents having wealth, and you two became friends quickly.

“Cher , my mom died.” You whisper softly unable to grasp the fact that the women who loved you and raised you, protected you, your mom , was dead.

Cheryl's eyes widened, “Oh my god! Mama L/n, oh my god , Y/n ! I knew she was sick but I didn't know!” She says quickly.

“Yeah, she died last night.” You mumble wiping a stray tear from your face.

“Something else is wrong. What was it?” She asks staring at you with her brows furrowed. “Wait, was it your girlfriend? because if she hurt my lovely little Y/n I will hurt her.” She says in a threatening voice.

“She cheated on me. She slept with Archie last night at the party.” You say and start sobbing putting your hands in front of your face.

“She what?!” Cheryl screeches. “Not only did she accuse me of twincest but this too?!” She stands up quickly muttering under her breath, a dark expression on her face. The bell rings signaling a new arrival and she glances at the door. Cheryl walks towards the door and walks out, before you have the chance to notice who it was.

Outside Cheryl stood grasping Veronica’s arm tightly and glared at her.

“ I can't fucking believe you.” She starts. “You probably lost the only good thing in your life. Y/n deserves so much better than you, and you fucking know it! She would have been so much better off with me , and we all know it.” Veronica struggles to take Cheryl's hand off her arm and glares at Cheryl.

“I can end your life here and now Lodge. Tell everyone how you cheated on her.” Cheryl whispers threateningly. “So just leave her alone.” She finishes and walks back inside to retrieve you, and take you to her house.

At Cheryl’s house, she had grabbed all of the movies that you loved and decided to have a movie marathon with you so you could forget things for at least a little while.

“Cher, why did she do that…? I thought she cared for me, but apparently not. Am in not good enough? Am i not worth it? Was something wrong with me? Why?” you ask her quietly, wondering why your girlfriend cheated on you, as you lay your head on Cheryl’s shoulder

Cheryl stops running her fingers through your hair, and contemplates something.

“Hey Y/n, if i do this can you promise not to be mad…?” She asks and waits for you to nod. Once she gets confirmation, she kisses you.

She kisses you timidly at first, and once you kiss her back she deepens the kiss, and somewhere along the line it ended up turning into a full on makeout session.

Once you guys pull away for air, you’re slightly in shock, because you had just ended a relationship which was mostly one sided towards the end. You think back to when you’ve hung out with Cheryl, and realize that it wasn't just her being herself, it was your best friend flirting with you, you oblivious self hadn’t realized it. But boy were you glad you did.

“Look! I know you just got out o a relationship, but … i’m willing to wait for you, no matter how long it takes you.” she says and kisses your cheek softly and you hug her tightly and lightly kiss her neck.

5 years down the line. Somewhere in New York,

“Woah! So sorry” she starts, and tightens her grip on her coffee she almost spilt onto the person she crashed into. She lifts her head from the floor and realizes who she crashed into, gasping lightly she just stares at her, Y/n L/n.

“Hey Y/n, it’s been a while,” she says smiling, hoping that perhaps after you disappeared from Riverdale, and now she found you again she could have another chance with you.

“Veronica,” you say smiling faintly.

“I never would have imagined you would have fled Riverdale and come here.” she says, and takes a sip of her coffee.

“Yeah, i just had to get away, and father allowed me to move in with my grandparents after my mother died, and i’ve been living here ever since plus all that drama that happened also caused me to move,” you add.

Veronica nods, understanding your reasoning. “Well I think that we should maybe go ou-”

“Y/n! Love!” Veronica freezes as she hears that voice she had hated. “Baby c’mon! We have to go meet with the wedding planner, and go cake tasting!” Cheryl says smiling brightly and grabs your left hand. Veronica glances at your hand and is slightly shocked to see the engagement ring on your finger.

“Oh! Veronica i didn’t see you! But i have to thank you honestly.”

“What did i do? Why are you thanking me?” Veronica asks confused.

“Well, if you hadn;t cheated on Y/n i would’ve never confessed to her! I mean it’s still terrible but thanks to your fuck up, I’m marrying this beautiful lady.” Cheryl says and kisses your cheek.

“Sorry Veronica, but we really ought to get going. Weddings don’t get planned by themselves.” you say.

Veronica would always regret her mistake, but she specially regretted it when she saw you getting walked down the aisle towards Cheryl, and she imagined herself in Cheryl’s place.

The endgame had never been Veronica Lodge and Y/n L/n, it had been the two best friends who loved one another, Y/n L/n and Cheryl Blossom.

[iheartgod175]

So We Meet Again

A/N: I forgot to put up part two of “Spring In His Step”.

This is technically supposed to be part of my Yogi's Treasure Hunt fic, but seeing as I'm still stuck on the technical aspects of the story, I'll probably leave this as a continuation. I had fun doing this little chapter, especially with the references to "Blazin' Trails". Of course, most of the events mentioned here are pretty much AU in regards to that series.

Anyway, I'll shut up and let you guys read the story.

Summary: Another case involving a well known treasure thief has Snooper and Blabber heading back to the FBI to meet with Special Agent Ricochet Rabbit, and things haven't changed a bit. Well, maybe a few things. It's been five years after all. Continuation to "Spring In His Step".

Disclaimer: I still don't own Snooper, Blabber, Ricochet Rabbit or Droop-a-Long Coyote. They are property of Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros.; Lucky is an OC that Vulaan Kulaas and I created, Drag-a-Long and Serena are Vulaan Kulaas', while Caroline, Chance, Rose, Trevor, Denise and Melissa (the latter two are only mentioned) are my OCs.

Snooper sighed as he and Blabber pulled up in front of the FBI's secret headquarters. "Five years later, and they still haven't learned their lesson," he muttered, glancing at the neon signs around the building. It looked like they'd gotten some new ones since last time.

"Well, at least it was easy to find, Snoop," Blabber replied, giving the cat a bright smile.

Snooper sighed. He considered the mouse to be one of his good friends, but sometimes, he was too naïve for his own good. "That's exactly what I mean, Blab," he said as he got out of the car. "Anyhoo, let's make this quick so we can get back on the Jolly Roger."

"I'm looking forward to seein' Special Agent PING-PING-PING Ricochet again, Snoop," Blabber said.

"Aw, not you too," Snooper groaned. Thankfully, the rabbit only said it when he introduced himself, but he was still not used to that, even though it'd been five years and his former deputy told him that it was his catchphrase. "Next thing I know you're gonna try an' ricochet across the room like him."

"Well, I've been working on it, Snoop, and I think I should leave it to the professional," Blabber replied. "I kept crashing into things."

"Is that why there were so many holes in the office walls?"

A pause. "...maybe...?"

Snooper started to say something, but that was when someone called their names from the other side of the room. The two detectives turned to face the person who'd called them: a tall, lanky coyote with pink fur and wearing a dark blue uniform. His dark green eyes were warm and friendly as he came over to them.

"Howdy, Mr. Snooper, Mr. Blabber," he said. "I haven't seen you fellas in a while."

"Aw, shucks, I told ya you don't have to call me 'Mr. Blabber', Sheriff Droop-a-Long," Blabber said. "Just Blabber is fine."

"Heh, sorry 'bout that," Droop-a-Long replied. "It's a habit of mine."

"Greetin's, Sheriff," Snooper replied. "You know where we can find the whereabouts of your former boss?"

"Oh, he's right in that room over yonder," Droop-a-Long said. "He moved to a brand new office a few months ago. I'd take ya to him myself, but I've gotta watch the little ones."

Snooper quirked an eyebrow. "Little ones?"

No sooner did he say that than two children came racing down the hallway, toy airplanes in their hands. In the lead was a grey furred rabbit with white and light blonde hair and deep blue eyes. He was on the run from a white-furred she-rabbit with yellow sclera and light brown eyes. Her white hair was tied up in a small flipped ponytail.

Snooper and Blabber barely avoided getting bowled over. Droop-a-Long turned to face them as they raced past. "Lucky! Caroline! Be careful, there are folks walkin' about!" he said.

"Sure thing, Uncle Droop-a-Long," both of them replied.

"By the way, Chance is at the food court again," Lucky replied. "Rosie an' Trevor were playin' by the boss' office."

Droop-a-Long groaned. "I'm gonna have a long talk with that boy 'bout leavin' his sister an' brother like that," he said. He turned towards Snooper and Blabber with a sheepish smile. "Sorry ta leave ya like this, but I've gotta go. I'll have to chat with you two later!" He then raced down the hall, leaving a stunned pair of detectives standing in the hallway.

"...Droop-a-Long has kids now?" Blabber asked. "And he's an uncle?"

"Uh, apparently so," Snooper said. "I guess we'll have to get our answers from Ricochet himself."

The two walked down the hallway, where Ricochet's name was screwed above the door to their right in a bright gold plaque. Snooper knocked on the door, and Ricochet shouted from inside, "I already told you kids, no, I'm not givin' ya any more money to buy sweets! Wait until dinner!"

"Uh, it's Detecitives Snooper and Blabber, Ric," Snooper said. "Ya know, the two ya met a few years ago?"

"Oh! Oh, goodness, I'm sorry! Come on in! An' mind the wires," Ricochet replied.

Snooper opened the door and nearly fell flat on his face due to the tangle of cords that ran from the side of the wall to Ricochet's desk, which currently had a computer, printer, scanner and coffeemaker. Sitting in front of the computer was Ricochet,who was typing away with a speed that could put anyone to shame.

"Hi, Special Agent Ricochet!" Blabber called.

"Howdy thar, Blab, Snoop!" Ricochet got down from the desk and walked over to them. That was a surprise to Snooper, as he'd normally bounce off of the walls to greet them. "How are ya?"

"Uh, pretty good, Ric," Snooper said. "Droop-a-Long tells us that you got a new office, eh?"

"Yeah. Comes with the new position, too," Ricochet said. He puffed up with pride. "You two are lookin' at Supervisory Special Agent PING-PING-PIIIIINNNGGG Ricochet Rabbit!"

There he goes with that pingin'. "Is that so?" Snooper asked.

"Mm-hmm. My former deputy-turned-sheriff, Droop-a-Long Coyote, is workin' his way to becomin' a Special Agent," Ricochet explained. "I was kinda surprised to hear about it, though—ol' Droop usually drifts from one job to another, but I heard that he was asked to be in it after his stint as a marshal."

"He was a marshal, too?" Blabber asked.

"Yup; he told me about it personally, too!" Ricochet said. "That surprised me a lot, but not nearly as much as when he told me he got married."

"He did?!" Blabber exclaimed.

"That would explain where the kids came from, Blab," Snooper said.

Ricochet chuckled when he saw their surprised expressions. "That was my exact reaction," he said. "Then again, I can't talk. He completely flipped out when I told 'im I was getting married."

"You did?!" Blabber exclaimed again.

"Ya did?" Snooper asked, being much more cool about it than his assistant.

"Eh-heh, well, it's a pretty long story," Ricochet replied, blushing slightly. "But long story short, I ended up marryin' an old flame of mine an' now I've got a daughter to look after, although not after I adopted a little boy who was a 'special case' in the FBI."

"'Special case'?" Blabber asked.

"Mm-hmm. My son, Lucky," Ricochet said. "It's his birthday today, so later on I'm takin' him out for ice cream."

"That other kid Droop-a-Long was talkin' to earlier...he's your son?" Snooper asked.

Ricochet nodded. "He's also Droop-a-Long's nephew."

"How is that possible?" Blabber asked.

"I know it's a lot ta process, but...his pa was a renowned criminal and his ma was a gang leader who declared war on the law," he said. "She wasn't around, an' his pa treated him horribly. An' that's the nicest way to put it. He broke 'im before he turned four years old." His eyes narrowed, and his voice lowered to a growl. "He didn't even give him a name on top of all the crap he put 'im through, that savage-"

Snooper ducked, and half of a pencil went flying over his head and hit the ground behind him. "Whoa, uh, Ric? I hope that pencil wasn't company property."

Ricochet looked down at the other end of the pencil he held in his hand, and sighed. "Sorry 'bout that. It just angers me, you know?" He set the pencil down. "You didn't want to be thar when I first heard of all that Lucky's father did to that boy."

"What did you do?" Blabber asked.

"I threw a chair against the wall. It's the reason why I had to move to a new office," Ricochet answered.

"...oh."

"I can't blame ya," Snooper said. "It sounds like it was tough case."

"It was. Aside from the business of findin' his parents, I had to take Lucky in until we found a home for him," Ricochet continued. "I was the one who named 'im Lucky, since it was a mircale he survived that long under his pa. It took a while, but he slowly came out of his shell, an' he warmed up to folks, 'specially to me. After we sent his parents to prison, Droop-a-Long took him in since he's immediate family, but Lucky wanted to stay with me. An' so, I adopted him."

"Awww..." Blabber said. "That's so nice."

"Heheh, yeah. I don't even say that he's my 'adopted son' or anythin' like that. I jus' call him what he is: my son. An' I love him an' Caroline equally." Ricochet paused and stared at Blabber in confusion. "Why, Blabber, you're cryin'!"

The mouse pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. "I can't help it. T-That was so touching..."

"Uh, yeah," Snooper replied. "Not ta ruin your touchin' story, Ric, but we've actually come here on assignment."

"Hmm? Oh! Oh, right. Sorry 'bout that," Ricochet said. "Well, to be honest, it feels good to talk about somethin' other than work. But now it's back to business." He paused upon hearing squeals from outside the office, followed by Droop-a-Long shouting, "Come on, kids! Put that back!" He sighed. "Well, hopefully we can get back to business. I've been interrupted so many times today I've lost count."

"Why are the kids here anyway?" Blabber said.

"It's 'Bring Your Kids To Work' Day," Ricochet said. "So Droop-a-Long and I have double duty."

Snooper sighed. "This is why I'm never havin' kids," he said. Ricochet's chuckle brought about a raised eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

"I wouldn't say that too soon," he replied. "You might meet a pretty female-type person who'll win ya over an' that'll probably change your mind. Trust me, I know."

"What?" Snooper replied, utterly flabbergasted.

"I mean, ya do have a lot of female contacts," Ricochet said, a sly smirk on his face. "Maybe one of them would be the future 'Mrs. Super Snooper'."

Snooper groaned, while Blabber tried (and failed) to cough back a laugh. Ricochet still hadn't stopped teasing him about that, even though it's been five years. "Back to the point, Ric..."

"Alright, alright, Mr. Businesscat. I'll get back to it. Jus' come over to the computer an' I'll find it for ya," Ricochet said.

"Much obliged," Snooper said, picking up a chair and making his way over to the computer.

"Hey, Snoop?"

"Yes, Blab?"

"...Can I be 'Uncle Blabber' in the future?"

"Drop it already, Blab!"

The End

A lot can change in five years. At least Ricochet's "PING-PING-PING" came up once, which is good news for Snooper. Plus, detecitives is how Snooper says "detective" :)

Lucky is me and Vulaan Kulaas' OC that we created for the Blazin' Trails universe (more on him in my profile), while Caroline, Chance, Rose and Trevor are my OC's—Caroline is Ricochet and Melissa's daughter, born a few years after Ricochet adopted Lucky and later married Melissa, and Chance, Rose and Trevor are Droop-a-Long and Denise's kids.

I think I'm having a little too much fun writing about this. I can picture them having an odd friendship of sorts: Snooper being his usual calm and collected self, Blabber being the chipper and naïve one, and Ricochet being...well, Ricochet. If you couldn't tell, Snoop and Ric were like the stars of this. Blabber kind of faded into the background while I was writing it—so I had to give him a little role at the end there. I was chuckling myself when I wrote it. Sly/teasing Ricochet is best Ricochet :)

Anyway, I hope you guys like this and like/reblog if you do!

God bless, iheartgod175

[hysterialevi]

When the Devil Cries pt. 13

Author’s note: Time to go bounty hunting!

From Arthur’s POV

THE NEXT MORNING

CLEMENS POINT

Picking up on the scent of cooked meat, I gradually rose back into consciousness as my eyes fluttered open to the morning sunlight, revealing a scene I did not expect.

Not too far away from me, Eddie was roasting something over a newly-lit campfire as Bullet chewed on a clump o’ grass behind him, the two of them already wide-awake while I hadn’t even moved from my bedroll yet.

When the hell did they go hunting? The sun wasn’t even that high in the sky yet, and judging by the freshness of the campfire, I assumed Eddie returned just recently. That must’ve meant he’d been up ever since dawn.

Well, someone was certainly excited to start the day.

Letting out a fatigued yawn, I stretched my arms out and sat up from the ground, causing Eddie to jolt his head in my direction as I dragged a hand down my face.

“Morning, Arthur,” he greeted with a smile, offering some of the food he was cooking. “Rabbit?”

I glanced around the camp for a minute, still trying to get my bearings.

“You caught somethin’ already? Heh. Looks like I taught you well.” I stood up from the bedroll and took a seat beside Eddie, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

“You certainly did,” he agreed. “Though, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the skinning part.”

I took a sip. “Oh, I hope you do. There’ll be lots of skinnin’ today, after all. ‘Parently, these Arlington Twins are no joke. Plenty o’ folk gone after them already, but none have succeeded. They’re wanted alive, too.”

Eddie raised a brow. “And you think it’s a good idea to hunt them down?”

“None of this is a good idea,” I replied. “But it’s the only option we got right now. Unless you wanna earn money by shovelin’ pig shit on a ranch instead.”

The pianist chuckled. “Well, when you put it that way...”

I gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Just stay alert, and don’t hesitate to shoot ‘em if things go south. I know they’re wanted alive, but I’d rather you be broke than be dead.”

Eddie nodded. “I’ll do my best. So, what was this plan you mentioned before?”

I stared at the fire in thought, pondering the multiple ways we could approach this.

“Well, like I said...there’s a good chance they’re targeting the trains coming from New Hanover, so I think it’d be best if we figure out when the next one rolls in. See if we can’t catch them along the way.”

I downed the rest of my coffee, stuffing the mug back into my satchel as I prepared to leave. “I know a feller over at the Rhodes train station could help us out. A peculiar man by the name of ‘Alden,’ but he’s effective in his own way. He’ll know the trains’ schedule.”

Eddie paused for a moment, briefly falling silent before agreeing to my plan.

For a second there, it looked like he wanted to ask me something, but dropped the subject and refrained himself from doing so.

Was everything alright? I wondered. Maybe I should’ve taken a step back and checked on the boy for a damned minute before runnin’ off to hogtie some outlaws.

After all, Eddie had been through hell this past week. With Middleton’s death, the gala shootout, and being forced to survive in the wilds -- I had no idea how this was really affectin’ him.

I forced myself to slow down for a moment and simply sat on my horse, peering over at Eddie with a concerned expression.

“...You alright there, Eddie?” I asked. The musician unhitched Bullet from the post, putting his hat back on as he climbed on top of the beast.

“Well, there is something I want to talk about,” he confessed, “but...now’s not really a great time.”

I shrugged. “On the contrary, now is probably the best time. Never know when we’ll have a moment o’ peace like this again.”

Eddie gave in and sighed in a worried manner, somberly looking away from me. He actually appeared rather upset -- more than I first anticipated -- and the longer he went without sayin’ anything, the more I was afraid somethin’ bad had happened to him.

What was going on?

Eddie stared blankly at the ground, his voice softening with sorrow and uncertainty as I waited for a response.

“...Am I...making you uncomfortable, Arthur?” He questioned quietly.

I blinked in confusion, wonderin’ how on Earth he even got to that conclusion.

“Wh-- no, of course not. What gave you that idea?”

Eddie turned back to me, clearly more hurt than he was lettin’ on.

“It’s just...every time I try to get close to you, like last night, it always seems to scare you off. And you’re constantly going on about how you shouldn’t be around me, or that it’s better off if we put some distance between each other. I just wanted to know if I’m reading the signs wrong. If I’m...perhaps not quite understanding what our relationship really is, and pushing things too far. ...Am I? Is this...not what you want?”

I found myself at a loss for words, suddenly feelin’ like such an asshole. This whole time, I truly believed I had been protecting Eddie when, in reality, I’d actually been hurting him.

Every time we was around each other, or every time Eddie tried to approach me for comfort, I always seemed to subconsciously push the kid away and do my absolute best to shield my true emotions from him, not realizing the messages I was really sending.

Good God, I was an idiot.

Not only had I been making Eddie feel unwanted, I had also gone and taken apart the only life he ever knew by gettin’ involved in a war that weren’t even mine, and throwin’ him out into the wilds.

But of course, like the fool I was forever damned to be, I perceived it as an act of protection -- and through some twisted logic -- saw myself as the guardian in this scenario.

I struggled to find the right words, stutterin’ like an absolute moron while I tried to reassure Eddie.

“Oh, Eddie...” I said, my tone filled with guilt, “...I’m...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I...”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, desperately attemptin’ to put out this fire I’ve started.

“Listen,” I stated, “I know you think I’m a good man -- and maybe, deep down somewhere, I am -- but my actions don’t always reflect it. I’ve...I’ve committed crimes, Eddie. Harmed people that didn’t deserve it. Taken things that weren’t mine. And as a result, it’s gotten those around me hurt. Sometimes, even killed. I just don’t want the same thing to happen to you. I don’t wanna put you in danger.”

Eddie shook his head. “I’m already in danger, Arthur.”

“All the more reason not to add more onto your plate.”

The boy leaned over and placed a hand on my lap, appearing somewhat relieved.

“We’re in this fight together, Arthur,” he reiterated. “Sure, this isn’t what either of us wanted, but it’s happening now. And the only way we’re going to get out of it is if we stay by each other’s side. I know you’re willing to protect me, and I’m willing to protect you. No one is putting anyone in danger, except for Atticus Rose. Alright?”

I took what he said to heart, still feelin’ guilty for hurting Eddie the way I did.

“You sure about this?” I double-checked. “You sure you wanna...tie yourself down to some big, dumb moron like me?”

The boy chuckled, his emerald eyes twinklin’ once again.

“Positive. Now...” Eddie gently whipped his reins, signaling Bullet to start trotting out of the camp as he looked back at me with a grin, “...are we catching these twins or what?”

RHODES TRAIN STATION

Strolling through the double-doors, Eddie and I entered the quiet train station as everyone instantly began staring us, following our every move while we made our way to the ticket booth.

Most of the people inside were relaxing on the multiple benches scattered around and reading the newspaper, tiredly waiting for their train to arrive as life carried on outside.

So far, things seemed calm enough. And judging by the lack of alarm in the locals, I assumed the Arlington Twins hadn’t hit any of their trains just yet. That meant they were either still planning, or waitin’ for the right moment. We would have to move fast.

Walkin’ up to the booth, I tapped the little bell sittin’ on the counter and caught the attention of Trelawny’s old friend, lowering my voice as I told Eddie to wait by the door.

“Hello, Arthur!” Alden exclaimed happily. “You came back! Oh, it’s good to see you again. I hope you’ve been well?”

I nodded casually, placing a few dollars on the counter. “Well enough. Listen...I need a different favor today. I ain’t lookin’ for no stagecoach. I’m lookin’ for a train this time.”

The clerk’s eyes widened as he took the money. “A train? Ain’t that a tad...ambitious?”

I smirked. “What can I say? I’m an ambitious man.”

Alden smiled. “That, you are, Arthur. That you are. Well, let’s see...” he opened a the ledger, sliding his finger down the page as he studied the arrival times. “I assume you’re wantin’ a train with some value on it?”

“That would be ideal.”

He took out a slip of paper and began eagerly scribbling some notes on it.

“You’re in luck. There’s a train arrivin’ from New Hanover at ten o’clock. It’s carrying some weapons as well as some money, and there aren’t too many guards on board. A perfect opportunity for a...discouraged man such as yourself.”

I checked the clock on the wall, squinting slightly to read the time. It looked like we had about half an hour before the train arrived. That would work.

“Sounds good,” I said, taking the note Alden had written for me. “Thank you.”

“Be real careful, Arthur,” he warned compassionately. “Goin’ after stagecoaches is one thing, but trains...they’re no joke.”

I returned to Eddie, waving goodbye to the clerk.

“Oh, don’t worry, Alden. I’m always careful.”

A WHILE LATER

BORDER OF NEW HANOVER

Hiding among the many trees in this region, Eddie and I kept a close watch on the railroad tracks as we waited for the train to come through, our weapons all loaded up and ready to go.

The area had been pretty quiet so far, and there was nothin’ but deer and wild horses running around, along with the occasional traveler or two passing by. And what made things even stranger...was that nothing had been placed on the tracks that would force the train to stop.

It made me wonder if the Arlington Twins were even nearby. Or if they were planning to hit this train specifically. Jesus...after all this drama, I almost hoped they were.

“See anythin’ yet?” I asked, observing the place through a pair of binoculars.

“No,” Eddie answered, taking out a pocket watch. “Are you sure it’s arriving at ten? What did that note Alden gave you say?”

I took the piece of paper out and held it between two fingers, handing the note over to Eddie. “Here.”

The boy examined it for a moment, his brow furrowing once he reached the end.

“...Who is this Alden, exactly?” He questioned, sounding a little jealous.

I adjusted my binoculars. “An old ‘associate’ of mine, you could say. I’ve known him for a few months now. Why?”

“Because at the end, it says: Be real careful. Xxxxx. And he’s also drawn a heart.”

I let out a breath, lowering the binoculars for a second.

“Jesus, Alden...” I grumbled, taking the note back. “L-Look, there ain’t nothin’ between us, Eddie. That man’s just...immensely attached to me for some reason. Has been since day one.”

Eddie softly laughed. “I know. I’m only teasing you, Arthur.”

I went back to scouting. “...If you say so.”

The pianist gave me a nudge, pointing towards the western side of the tracks as the sound of a rhythmic engine reached my ears.

“Wait, look! There’s the train.”

Bringing my attention to the train as it passed by, I began searching for any signs of the Arlington Twins, focusing my binoculars on the surrounding area.

“Well, they haven’t robbed it yet, that’s for sure. You see ‘em anywhere?”

Eddie shook his head again. “No.”

I zoomed in, examining the inside of the train through the dusty windows and studying the opulent passengers one-by-one as they relaxed in the car, completely oblivious to what was about to happen.

The train’s interior was much more luxurious than I expected. From what I could see, there were lavish couches and tables decorating the inside of the carriage along with a cozy bar takin’ up one of the corners, and it seemed like the passengers were enjoying a meal at the moment. I guessed that was the dining car.

What really caught my attention however, was a certain woman who was sittin’ directly in my line of sight. For some reason, she appeared very familiar to me, and the longer I looked at her, the more she rang an ominous bell in my head.

The way her face was shaped, the way her makeup was done, the way her eyes seemed to be in a constant twitch...

Holy shit.

I froze with realization, hurriedly putting my binoculars away as I sprung up from the ground and ran for my horse.

“That’s because they’re already on it! C’mon! We gotta catch this train!”

Bolting alongside the railroad, Eddie and I galloped so fast to the point where it felt like we was glidin’ off the damned ground as we tried to match the speed of the train, practically standing straight-up in our saddles as blades of grass flew behind us.

It didn’t seem like anyone had noticed just who the hell two of the passengers really were, and as far as I could tell, no sort of robbery had commenced yet. Though, considering how close we was gettin’ to Rhodes, I imagined them twins were gonna get to work pretty soon.

I kicked my spurs into my horse, urging her to run faster.

“We gotta get close enough to jump on!” I yelled at Eddie over the train’s thunderous engine.

“I hear you!” He shouted back.

Leaning forward, I firmly whipped the reins and pushed my mount to speed up as I steadily approached one of the flat carriages, unable to ignore the large cliff that was steadily comin’ up in the distance.

It looked like the railroad turned into a bridge not too far away from here, and if I didn’t jump onto this thing soon, I weren’t gonna be here when it crossed.

“Shit...!” I cursed, immediately angling myself towards the cars. I wasn’t anywhere near close enough to the train, and the gap in front of me was a lot wider than I woulda liked...but I was runnin’ out of land to work with. And despite how chaotic my life might’ve been, I didn’t much fancy the idea of plummeting to my death.

Bracing myself for what was about to come, I balanced myself on the saddle and took multiple deep breaths, my heart hammering along with the train’s engine as I prepared to jump.

The ground beneath me had turned into a green blur at this point, and with every second I wasted sittin’ here like an idiot, the faster the edge of the cliff seemed to draw near.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists, encouraging myself to do the unthinkable as I got ready to jump.

“...Come on, you son-of-a-bitch...!”

Taking a literal leap of faith, I launched myself through the air and landed roughly on the metal carriage with a heavy thud, holdin’ on for dear life as my legs dangled off the edge and my horse came to a stop, rearing at the cliff.

The train was well off the cliff by now, and against my better judgement, I glanced downwards, only to be greeted by the bottomless pit of jagged rocks and aggressive waterfalls underneath me.

I let out a strained groan, musterin’ as much strength as possible before pulling the rest of my body on board.

“Eddie?” I shouted, getting back on my feet. “You there?!”

The pianist’s voice called back at me from a different carriage. “I’m here!”

I took out my revolver, heading straight for one of the passenger cars.

“I’m goin’ after Minnie!” I informed. “I saw her in the dining car! You keep an eye out for the brother! And remember -- capture them alive!”

Stormin’ my way across the carriage, I squeezed my way through the many crates of cargo and wasted no time in barging through the door as all the passengers inside nailed their eyes onto me, alarmed by the sudden intrusion while I searched for the sister.

“Minnie Arlington!” I barked, scanning the seats like a hawk.

The woman sprung up from her bench, letting out a cackle when she finally realized what my purpose here was. Jesus -- Minnie looked even crazier in person. Not only did she have strands of wild hair stickin’ out from under her big, floppy hat, she had also stuffed herself into a big, green gown to blend in with the rest of the passengers.

“Well, hello there, darling!” Minnie taunted with a wide grin, whipping out her own revolver. “I was wonderin’ when the next bounty hunter’d show up! Well, c’mon then, lil’ boy! Show me what you’re made of -- blood and bones just like the others, I assume!”

Her finger snaked over the trigger, causing me to jolt out of the way just as a bullet came zipping past my ear.

I shot straight back at her, only to end up hitting a wine bottle on the table she was taking cover behind as red liquid and glass sprayed everywhere.

Numerous shrieks of panic instantly erupted within the train carriage. Passengers ducked under their seats with no other way out and screamed in fear, shielding themselves from debris as I pushed through the aisle and continued my pursuit of Minnie.

The outlaw had made her way to the opposite end of the car by now and was hurling liquor bottles at me as a distraction while she steadily inched towards the second exit.

So far, her twin had yet to lend her a helping hand, and far as I could tell, the same could’ve been said for Eddie. I hadn’t seen him ever since I threw myself onto this godforsaken train, and he certainly didn’t follow me into the carriage. Where was he?

Firing her last bullet in my direction, Minnie toppled over a grandfather clock in her path, forcing me to climb over the damned thing as she gripped the exit’s handle.

“So long, bounty hunter!” She exclaimed. “Maybe next time, you’ll actually get the bounty!”

Swinging the door open, Minnie let out a sharp laugh and ran to her freedom, only to be blocked by none other than Eddie himself who was standing directly in the doorway, Lancaster in hand as he stared her down.

“There won’t be a next time, love.”

Eddie bashed the stock directly into Minnie’s head, knocking her out cold as she fell flat on the floor, completely motionless. Afterwards, the pianist bent down and began tying her up with some rope, glancing at me from under his hat’s rim.

“I got her, Arthur.” He assured. “You go on and find Jesse. I’ll make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.”

Giving him a quick nod, I slipped past the two of them and headed outside, searching the rest of the train for Jesse as the railroad took us through an even taller waterfall, sprinkling puffs of mist all over me.

By now, I could practically see the entirety of the Heartlands from here, and the sun was just startin’ to climb in the sky, causing an array of golden beams to seep through the thick, white clouds and onto the land below. It was one hell of a view if I ever saw one. I just wished I actually had the time to look at it.

Hurrying through an empty carriage, I swiftly reloaded my gun before spotting Jesse in the conductor’s car, mindin’ his own business.

It looked like the man had killed the original conductor and was now disposing of his body by throwing it over the edge, allowing the poor soul to plunge through the air and into a raging river below.

He didn’t seem to know I was there yet, and just before he could stop the train, I called out his name, making sure my revolver was clear as day in hopes of persuading him to surrender.

“Jesse Arlington!” I yelled, making the outlaw freeze in place. “I’m here to turn you in. Now, I ain’t gonna kill you, but I sure as shit will make you wish I had if you gimme enough of a reason to. So you got one chance to come easy...before I start shooting.”

The man turned around to face me, revealing the nice set of yellow teeth hidin’ behind his cocky grin as he slowly put his hands up.

He let out a chuckle. “...A bounty hunter, eh? You wouldn’t be the first to come after me, big man, and you certainly won’t be the last.”

I gestured to the carriages behind me. “Your sister would disagree.”

Jesse paused at that, his grin disappearing as the mischievous twinkle vanished from his eyes. “...My sister?”

I nodded, admittedly amused by his sudden lack of courage. It was my turn to smile now.

“Oh, yeah,” I confirmed, subtly stepping closer to him. “Minnie’ll be wearin’ a California collar soon enough, and if things go accordin’ to plan, they’ll be suitin’ you up, too. So, you gonna come easy? Or am I gonna have to introduce you to the rope sooner than expected?”

Jesse gulped at that, clearly not confident about his chances no more. I could see beads of sweat rolling down his brow, and with every second he spent glaring at me, the easier I could tell he was losing his nerve.

The outlaw muttered a quick curse, his jaw clenching in anxiety as he desperately searched for a way out.

“Shit...!”

To my surprise, the man suddenly leaped upwards and climbed onto the roof of the train, attempting to escape me as he ran to the other end.

“Of course...” I hissed, putting my gun away. If I shot him while he was up there, there was no doubt the man would fall off. That meant I was gonna have to restrain this bastard with my bare hands.

Pulling myself onto the roof with an amount of strength I didn’t know I had, I broke into a sprint and furiously chased after Jesse as he bolted ahead of me, jumping from carriage to carriage while the train aggressively stormed across the bridge.

The waterfall was well behind us at this point, and all I could see right now was miles of open country...along with a deadly drop looming beneath us as it swallowed the bridge’s towering supports.

This was definitely not what I had in mind when I took the Arlingtons’ posters off that goddamned wall, and I sure as hell hoped this would all be worth it in the end.

I picked up the pace, hurdling over the numerous gaps laid out in front of me.

“Stop, dammit!” I shouted, gradually gaining on Jesse.

The outlaw had reached a dead-end by now, and was frantically searching for any other options as his eyes flicked around, his body coming to an abrupt halt once his gaze landed on me.

Jesse gritted his teeth in anger, sliding out a knife when he finally decided to confront me.

“You want the money you came for, boy?” He growled. “You’ll have to fight for it.”

Pouncing at me like a tiger, Jesse began violently swingin’ his knife around while the two of us fought in the middle of the sky, our clothes billowing wildly in the powerful wind as we barreled through Lemoyne’s countryside.

At this height -- combined with the train’s smoke whirling around us -- it almost felt like we was fightin’ on our own little arena above the clouds as we hurled each other around the roof, doing our absolute best not to fall off.

It was a one-way ticket to death waitin’ underneath us, and I had no intentions of hopping from this ride to another.

I quickly recomposed myself, prowling towards Jesse as I held my fists up in defense.

Throwing a flurry of punches at the outlaw, I ducked and swerved outta the way of his blade, the sharp edge just barely brushing against my skin as the two of us brawled on top of the train, tryin’ to corner the other on the edge.

There was a certain adrenaline sparking my movements -- one I rarely ever experienced -- and the longer the battle carried on, the more determined I was to shut this son-of-a-bitch’s lights out.

I took a deep breath, readying myself for whatever was to come next.

Lunging at me with his knife, Jesse let out an angered yell and attempted to stab me in the abdomen, only to find himself locked in my hold once I grabbed his arm and bashed my forehead against his, stunning the man.

Dazed from the hit, Jesse stumbled backwards and dropped his knife over the edge, leaving him completely defenseless as he sluggishly rolled around, trying to stabilize himself.

Meanwhile, I took the opening before he could do anything else and hurriedly prepared my lasso, only to get kicked directly in the stomach once I got close to the man.

Using the opportunity to gain the upper hand, Jesse briskly tackled me to the ground and grabbed a handful of my shirt, hoisting me upwards as he dangled me over the train’s border.

Jesse’s disgusting grin returned to his face and he laughed lowly, more than eager to throw me off.

“You got nowhere to run, cowboy...” he taunted. “Nowhere except down.”

Sneaking its way into the scene, a second lasso suddenly roped itself around the both of us, tying me and Jesse up into a bundle as we stared at each other in confusion before being yanked back onto the roof.

I landed on top of the outlaw with a heavy thud, both of us glancing around to see just who the hell had joined the fight, only to find Eddie at the end of the rope.

The pianist steadily approached us as he unholstered his revolver, glaring at Jesse in a defensive yet somehow playful manner.

“He ain’t a cowboy.”

Pulling the trigger, Eddie fired a bullet directly into the man’s leg, causing him to let out an agonized howl while I slipped out of the lasso, lying still for a second as I caught my breath.

I lazily looked up at the musician, giving him a weak but thankful smile.

“...Bravo...”

He returned the smile, beaming at me as he hogtied Jesse properly.

“What can I say? I learn from the best.” Eddie stood back from the outlaw, admiring his handiwork. “So, what do we do now?”

I sat up and gazed at the view surrounding us, a breath of relief escaping me now that the fight was finally done.

“...We get our goddamn money.”

Eddie took a seat next to me, his legs hanging off the train’s edge.

“And after that?”

“Keep headin’ west,” I replied. “To Valentine. Possibly Strawberry. Hell, even New Austin if need be. Anywhere...but Saint Denis.”

The boy seemed satisfied with that and hung his head low, clearly drained of energy from all this action.

“Fair enough,” he concluded. “Just...no more trains, please.”

I laughed at that, removing my hat for a second as I combed a hand through my hair.

“Now that...is a promise I can’t make.”

A LITTLE LATER

RHODES, SHERIFF’S OFFICE

“Well, I’ll be damned,” the Sheriff blurted out, staring at the two outlaws we had thrown onto the floor of his office. “You actually caught them. They make you work for it?”

I exchanged looks with Eddie, the two of us lookin’ like we had just gone to hell and back.

“A little.”

“Well, my deputies’ll take it from here. In the meantime, here’s your money. A hundred dollars, as promised. Spend it wisely.”

I grabbed the bill-fold off the desk, wavin’ a quick goodbye to the Sheriff as Eddie and I took our leave.

“Pleasure doin’ business.”

Stepping out of the office, the Sheriff called for his deputies to clean up the mess while Eddie and I wandered back into the quiet town of Rhodes, splitting the money we just earned.

I slapped fifty bucks into Eddie’s hand and beamed at him, praising the boy like a proud mentor.

“Good work, kid,” I complimented. “It ain’t exactly ‘easy money’ like I was expecting, but you did well anyway. And you saved my life, too. So, thank you for that.”

The pianist smiled bashfully and flicked his eyes towards the ground, his expression glowing with gratitude.

“Of course, Arthur. You’re worth saving...even if you may not believe it.”

I chuckled lightly. “Oh, I dunno ‘bout that...but I’ll take your word for it. Anyway, how’s about you and I get outta this hot weather and start makin’ our way to Valentine? It’s a calm enough town, and if we move fast, we should be able to get there by this evening. Maybe even stop at the saloon for a drink or two. Lord knows I could use one.”

Eddie followed me out of Rhodes, both of us feeling refreshed now that we were off that goddamned train.

“Nice to see you’re spending your money wisely.” He joked.

I gave him a friendly wink, slipping the bills into my satchel.

“Well, for a few dollars more, we might even get some proper food to eat. And I know there’s a saloon just down the road, but...I’ve had enough o’ this town. What ‘bout you?”

Eddie sighed in fatigue, nodding in agreement. “Yes, I think I’m more than ready to move on to Valentine.”

I stuck a cigarette in between my lips and struck a match, lighting the tip as I let out a breath of smoke.

A smirk crept onto my face.

“...Then what the hell’re we waitin’ for?”