Summary: You look in the mirror and hate what you see... luckily Charles sees things differently
Word count: 483
Tags: Just pure fluff (cw. regarding a little bit of body insecurity but Charles comes to the rescue 🥰)
Notes: The lovely @cat-fiction left me a lovely idea in my askbox and while this story isn't exactly what you requested, I hope this will do for now (and I might get round do doing a Javi one for you too 😘)
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He Loves Me For Me
You yawned and stretched, feeling the empty space in the bed beside you. They say opposites attract and the same could be said for the same for you and Charles; he always was an early riser and would allow you a few extra moments of precious sleep while he showered.
Reluctantly you dragged yourself out of bed, making your way over to the dressing table and sighing as you looked upon your own reflection - no amount of beauty sleep could help hide those imperfections that stared back at you.
Opening the drawer that contained your makeup, you didn't hear the soft pad of Charles' footsteps, making their way from the bathroom back into the bedroom.
He stopped in the doorway for a moment, taking in the vision of beauty before him. He understood that putting make up was part of your daily routine and you did actually enjoy wearing it, but he would always remind you that when you were alone together he didn't expect you to make a big effort for him and how beautiful he found you whether you had a full face of products or bare faced.
As you pulled back the skin around your eyes, you sighed, causing Charles to come over and place those big strong hands of his on your shoulders.
"What's wrong, my love?" he asked softly, looking at your reflection in the mirror.
Your eyes met his rich, chocolate brown eyes, filled with concern for you. Between that and his gentle touch, you instantly melted.
"You'll think I'm being silly and overreacting but look at these crow's feet forming by my eyes, they make me feel old before my time." He chuckled and smiled as you pointed towards the faint lines on your face. "It's not funny, I hate seeing them," you pouted.
"I quite like them on you… " There was silence in the room as Charles stopped in his tracks once he spotted you glaring at him with a look that could turn a man to stone. In an attempt to soften you up, he squeezed your shoulders and gently kissed your temple, "Just hear me out; each of these lines remind me of every time I've seen you laugh or smile and that just shows that we have had a good life together."
You turned slowly, tears brimming in your eyes as you turned to face him.
"You really mean that?"
"Of course I do, you can keep pointing out "imperfections" simply because you're too hard on yourself but I promise you, I see them nothing but a another reason to fall in love with you all over again"
You knew, deep down, that Charles could never lie to you, but you found yourself looking into his eyes for the truth and you found it staring straight back at you; he loved you for you and nothing could ever change that for him.
Pairing: Charles Smith x Lilly Mae James (original female character)
Word Count: 346
Notes: Self-indulgent drabble, Fluff, Hint of Smut
On your best behaviour tonight?
“This is very unlike you Miss James” Charles commented, sidling up to her at the bar, placing an arm around her waist.
"And what is that supposed to mean Mr. Smith?” she frowned at him, quickly knocking the rest of her whiskey back.
“Oh, just the fact you’ve been in this bar for at least five whole minutes and you’ve not yet managed to start a fight,” he chuckled, placing a soft kiss on her cheek, trying to placate her apparent bad mood.
Rolling her eyes she muttered, “That's because I don't have Allie by my side to help me cause trouble. It's usually her sassiness that sets the whole thing off don't you know." Looking back into his deep brown eyes, she couldn't help but let a smile appear on her lips as a devilish thought crept through her mind "Although...there’s plenty of time for me to start something if that is what you really want. I mean - I know how much you like acting all protective over me" emphasising the last part of her sentence by placing her hand upon his chest
“Maybe I was thinking that I would prefer it if you were on your best behaviour tonight?" Leaning in close, whispering in her ear "I might even reward you for being such a good girl."
Lilly's knees went weak at hearing him use that phrase on her once more, but praise wasn't exactly what she wanted from him right now. Pondering his proposition for a moment, Lilly bit her lip, weighing up her options.
"Hmm, as tempting as that does sound...I can't help but wonder what you will do to me if I choose to be naughty instead?” she smirked, looking up at him from under her lashes, hoping he would take her up on her own offer instead.
Playfully smacking Lilly's backside, he grinned as she let out a small yelp, causing the other customers nearby to turn their heads in curiosity to look at the pair. "Well my Flower, I guess there's only one way to find out"
As the youngest sister of Derek Shepherd, you were used to people acting strange around you.
When you were an intern, it was because everyone wanted something. The only people you felt even remotely comfortable with were your fellow interns, and only those under Bailey with you.
Most everyone else wanted something.
“You think you can get me into Dr. Shepherd’s next surgery?” “I heard your brother is removing a huge tumor tomorrow morning, put in a good word for me?”
It wasn’t like you hadn’t been expecting it. Your mother and sisters had all warned you what would probably happen. But despite him being fourteen years older than you, you and Derek had grown surprisingly close when you followed in your family’s footsteps and went to Med School.
When you told him you were looking for hospitals to intern at, he strongly suggested Seattle Grace.
And thank god he had. If you’d gone to a different hospital, you probably never would have met your best friend, Alex Karev.
When you were interns, Meredith had Christina, and George had Izzie. You’d never really been the ‘best friend’ so you weren’t unaccustomed to being the odd man out.
It wasn’t until Alex was kicked off his resident’s service and the joined the five of you with Dr. Bailey that you thought having a best friend might be possible.
Slowly but surely, you’d managed to break down his walls and get to know the real Alex.
Eventually, in order to fix his awful bedside manner, Dr. Webber ordered that the two of you would share patients, residents, and effectively be attached at the hip until further notice.
“Dr. Karev, you can’t tell a patient to ‘get off their ass and walk.”
Alex crossed his arms. “If they didn’t walk soon their hip replacement would have been useless. I was helping them.”
“And Dr. Shepherd.” He turns to you. “You gave a patient extra pain meds?”
“Well I didn’t give them that many...”
Next to you Alex scoffed and you jabbed him in the ribs.
“Until further notice, your patients will be their patient. The two of you aren’t to work on a case without the other.” Dr. Webber announced.
“At least you aren’t O’Malley.” Alex muttered, but a smile tugged at his lips.
When the two of you were assigned to Dr. Montgomery’s service, she made you realize that you had fallen prey to the cliche of falling in love with your best friend.
“You’re being ridiculous Addison. Alex and I are just friends.” You say.
Addison looks out the window into the NICU, prompting you to do the same.
You see Alex talking to a kid, probably about seven or eight, while bouncing their younger sibling in his arms.
He shoots the kid a wink and you can’t help but grin as he ruffles their hair.
“You were saying?” Addison looks at you smugly.
You were the one who had convinced him that he was born for Peds, not Plastics.
“I don’t even need to know this crap.” He complained. “It’s not like I’ll be dealing with kids every day in Plastics.”
You grabbed his arm and pulled him into an on call room.
“Alex Karev are you trying to piss me off?” You poked his arm. “You have a gift. You would probably be a really good Plastics surgeon, but you could be truly great in Peds.” You looked at him pleadingly. “Don’t throw that away, Alex.”
He looked shocked. “Yeah, okay maybe I’ll stick with Peds a little longer.”
You grinned and reached up to kiss his cheek, leaving before the full affect of what you’d done affected you. It wasn’t until you were halfway down the hallway did it hit you. You stopped short when someone’s hand on your shoulder spun you around. Before you knew it, Alex’s lips were against yours and what you had only imagined until then was actually happening, and it was every bit as amazing as you had dreamed.
Long story short, you were his person, and he was yours.
So when you walk onto the Peds floor and he’s nowhere to be found, you’re slightly confused. Also slightly angry due to the fact that he had abandoned you to find your own ride that morning.
“Don’t worry Derek will pick you up.” You mutter under your breath as you search for him. “I have rounds early today.”
“Dr. Shepherd!” Lindsey, a patient who was recovering from a shattered femur, hobbled up to you. “There’s a surprise for you.”
You plaster a smile to your face and follow Lindsey to her room, curious about the so called ‘surprise.’
Inside you see your brother, who only moments before had been downstairs for a consult, holding a rose. He hands it to you and wordlessly ushers you to the next room, where you see Mark. He hands you a rose and follows you with Derek as you go into the next room.
This continues, with friends giving you flowers. Lexie, Meredith, Christina, Jackson, April, Bailey, Webber, Callie, Arizona, they all hand you a rose. When you exit the last room, Alex is standing in the middle of the floor.
Every kid who is mobile is pressed up against the windows of their rooms. The floor is suspiciously empty of nurses and other doctors.
“Alex, what are you doing?” You can’t stop the smile on your face and you grip the bouquet you now carry nervously.
“I was an idiot for so long.” He starts. “I didn’t notice that I was in love with you, not through Izzie, or Ava, or even Addison that one time.”
“Wait Addison-?”
“But I notice now. Seven years I’ve known you, seven years you’ve been my best friend. Four years I’ve been able to kiss you in the middle of the hospital. And hopefully in ten years I’ll be able to claim something else.”
You cover the lower half of your face with roses as he gets down on one knee.
“When I first planned this I was in a suit and you were in this really sexy dress and we were out to dinner, but I figured you’d appreciate the scrubs, and the kids, and the friends and family stuff. So, Y/N Shepherd, will you marry me?”
You laugh as tears slip from your eyes. You make no effort to wipe them away, since your right hand is holding the roses and your left is extended as your boyfriend, now fiancé, slips a ring onto your ring finger.
Everyone watching cheers as he pulls you close to kiss you.
Author’s Note: Thank you so much for the love and warm comments for Wall flower. I decided to make this a series guys. :) And of course feedback is gift feel free to message me anytime. :)
Part I
To say that everything remained the same was an understatement. The moment you step off Zach's car everyone's attention was on you. Heck even you will notice if this kind of phenomena happened. Little Miss. Nobody with Mr. Popular. A little cliche. But you wish you're not the one on this situation. You'll take extra shift at Monet's if you have to. Volunteer on every dog shelter if you'll be able to escape this situation. But no it's happening: for real. You feel like a deer caught on the red light. There's no escaping this.All morning everyone's eyes was on you. It's weird being the center of attention when all your life you're just the wallflower who watches the drama on this school.
"Guess what's the headline on Shaver's paper! " Hannah said while looking at me.
"Lemme Guess, a poem you write?" I sass back. You see last month Ryan published Hannah's poem. Which for a geek poet like me it's a privilege. Not so much for Hannah tho.
" Touche." says Hannah while rolling her eyes. "But seriously tho. Do I really need to know it from someone else? I thought I'm your best friend. I'm wounded,(y/n/n)"
"Hannah Banana. You of all people should know that you can't know gossip. It is what it is. GOSSIP." I retaliated while closing my locker.
We were walking on the hallway on our way to the cafeteria for lunch.
Hannah linked her arm with me," So you and Zach is not in a relationship?" She pried.
You weren't able to answer that. Coz technically you are. But it's not something that you can explain with her in the middle of the hallway.
You stopped on your track when you saw him standing on the center of the hallway. Everyone is just oblivious of him.He was just looking at you. And you're the only one seeing him. It's like he's not really there. You're ready to go to him when a chest blocked your view. You looked up and saw Zach.
"Lunch?" He said. Smiling at you. " Hey Hannah"
"Uhm. Are you gonna eat lunch with us?" You asked trying to look pass him if he's still there. BUt he's no longer there. Did you just imagine that?
"You're my girl. You're supposed to be having lunch with me. But I understand you don't like hanging out with my friends so I'll adjust for you. Compromise remember?" He explained while draping his arm on your shoulder.
You suddenly feel bad. It seems like Zach only does all the compromise on this relationship. " We can eat with you guys. Right Hannah?" You blurted out. Zach smiled his megawatt smile that is so blinding and squeezed you in a hug. "Za.. Zach, I caaaan't breathe."
"Oohhh sorry." He laughed. opening the door of the cafeteria for you and Hannah.
"Hey Helmet." Hannah greeted his boyfriend Clay who became your friend as well. "Hey Clay!" You greeted him. Clay seems in a bad mood and just nod in your direction. Hannah sensed Clay's mood and smiled at you.
"Let's go sit outside, Helmet?" Hannah said trying to diffuse the awkwardness. "Sure." Clay answered. " See you on 5th, (y/n/n)" Hannah waived while dragging Clay with her.
Zach already ordered food for the both of you. He balances the tray on his hand while the other holds your hand. You just look at it. It feels natural. Your hands perfectly fits each other. How can this feel right? You feel torn. You have not been completely honest with Zach. And you have to explain to him everything as well. He needs to understand what page you're in right now for this to work. You unknowingly squeezed Zach's hand which he reciprocated. He walked passed his friends table which all of them are looking for the both you catcalling and just cheering you both. He settled in a table at the back.
"Why are we here? I thought we're staying there?" you asked pointing at Zach's friends.
"I don't want you to get uncomfortable. We'll take it one step at a time." Zach smiled.
"For someone who's so bossy, you are so thoughtful at the same time, Dempsey." you said settling beside him.
Notes: Sorry to anybody still waiting on a request from me - I just haven't the time to write recently.
Also to the anon who requested a Mary x f!reader story - I would love to expand on this when I have more time, but I wanted to share with you this small section so you don't think I had forgotten your request.
❅────────✧❅✦❅✧────────❅
You quickly stood up, fixing your hat and smoothing out your skirt as the train pulled to a stop before you. Glancing through the window, you looked eagerly for your friend but your heart sank as she was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly your mind went into overdrive; "What if she changed her mind? Or she took ill and can't make it? Or, god forbid, the train was robbed and she was hurt?"
It could have simply been the smoke from the train itself, but the sky - previously clear and fairly bright - suddenly seemed dark and overcast; as if matching the feeling that was starting to wash over you. With tears brimming in your eyes and not wanting to face further public humiliation, you quickly turned on your heels, walking as fast as you could, back towards the station door. Surely the clerk there could tell you if there was any post for yourself from Mary. Or if news of some crime had been telegraphed over his station straightway?
Just as you placed your hands on the big wooden door, you found yourself stopping in your tracks; your heart leaping through your chest at hearing that sweet familiar voice calling out your name.
Confused as to why you had your back to her, after offering an invitation to come in the first place, Mary called out to you again, reaching out and placing her delicate hand upon your shoulder.
"Is everything okay?"
You melted under her gentle touch, wondering to yourself if she too had felt a spark of something indescribable, of which was now running through your veins.
Trying to compose yourself, you managed to turn back around to face Mary, but unable to stop yourself from gasping as you finally laid eyes on the woman you had fallen in love with all those years ago. Not only was she, somehow, even more beautiful than you remembered, but you could have sworn that at the exact moment you turned back to face Mary, there was a break in the clouds and a single solitary ray of light beamed down on the heavenly creature before you.
Summary: Inspired by this gorgeous photoset of shirtless Arthur by @foundynnel, I felt inspired to write a little drabble .
Tags: Fluff with a hint of smut (you might have to squint to see it though)
Extra Notes:
The photo used in the header used with the kind permisson from @foundynnel and is from the above mentioned photo set. (Seriously go check out all their work)
This was originally written as Arthur x OC story for the lovely @horsegirl1h and you can find the original version on my AO3 account
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Intruder in the Barn
Hearing a noise out in the barn, Arthur quickly threw on his jeans and headed outside to go take a look.
He had only been gone a few minutes, but you couldn't help but worry. Grabbing your housecoat, you soon made your own way over to the barn to check that your lover was okay.
Meaning to call out, as not to startle Arthur, You found yourself unconsciously stopping as she approached; your eyes eagerly drinking in the sight before you. Shirtless and standing with his back to you, the light from the lantern rippled over his well defined muscles and broad frame as he stood in the stall aisle checking each of the horses were still there.
As you took in his physique, an involuntary moan escaped your lips causing him to spin around on the spot, ready to fight what he thought could be an intruder.
Though, upon realising that it was his beloved standing there, his frown quickly turned into a smile and he strolled over towards you.
"Whatchu you doin out here darlin?" he asked, casually strolling over, placing a cigarette in his mouth to light.
"I was worried about you… plus I was lonely; the bed feels so cold and empty without you in it," you smirked, plucking the now lit cigarette from his lips to bring to your own.
"Were you now?" he smirked back, watching you take a drag as you let her housecoat fall open a touch, revealing the fact you weren't wearing very much underneath.
"Hmmm… it is a long way back to the house," he joked, looking at the building covered in darkness that was only 20 or so feet away. "But, luckily for us, there's definitely nobody lurking about in here, so let get you warmed up before you catch a chill wearin that," he chuckled, sweeping you off her feet and leading you to a quiet corner of the barn.
Summary: Love is in the air around camp, but has Cupid's arrow somehow missed you and Charles?
Notes: The fluffiest of fluff, Reader POV / Charles POV
This @rdr-secret-cupid gift is for one of my favourite people - @12timetraveler. My sincere apologies for this Valentine's / birthday present being so late, but hopefully it's well worth the wait 😘
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Cupid's Arrow
Reader's POV
14th Feb 1899
You looked around to see Dutch sitting in his tent, whispering sweet nothings to Miss O'Shea while Sean was trying his hardest to win over Karen, whose icy demeanour was starting to thaw with each passing drink he was plying her with. Hell, even John had had a little too much to drink and summoned the courage to pick a small posy of flowers and present them to Abigail as a small Valentine's gift.
You liked seeing the camp happy like this, all relaxed in each other's company; the likes of Javier and Tilly sitting next to each other as the former strummed on his guitar and filled the air with a sweet melody, or young Mary-Beth, enjoying the latest romance novel she acquired, only to tear her eyes away from the page to gaze lovingly towards an oblivious Arthur before continuing her story.
And while Micah's grumbling about it "not bein' right, someone like him talkin' to a fiiinnnne woman like her," as he watched young Lenny saying something to make Jenny giggle from across the way, was enough to for everybody to tell him to shut up, it certainly wasn't enough to dampen the mood around the place.
It was even nice to see Miss Grimshaw laugh and smile as she joined the older camp members in their reminiscences about previous Valentine's days with their own past loves, soon followed by raucous singing of filthy songs but as you took your makeshift seat of a crate at the poker table, you couldn’t but help feel Cupid’s arrow had struck everyone and somehow bypassed you.
You had secretly hoped that Charles would have joined in with the party, but the minute Dutch wound up his gramophone Charles had disappeared into the woods to take his position on guard duty.
While you'd taken many opportunities to try to make conversation and try to get to know him better over the last few months, you still found him to be a man of few words - but you liked that about him. The camp was full enough of loud-mouthed characters like Sean and Uncle that any moment you found yourself sitting in a comfortable silence with Mr. Smith was bliss.
As the night drew on and more and more alcohol was heartly consumed by all, you felt your eyes growing heavy and couldn’t summon the energy to sing along with the lyrics of “The Louisville Maid”.
"Well as fun as this is, I'm gonna call it a night," you announced to your campmates, knowing full well that nobody was really listening. You sighed as they were caught up in their merriment and headed towards your tent… only to walk straight into Charles.
"Whoa, careful there," he told you, giving you a small smile as he placed those big, strong hands of his upon your arms to help stop you from falling over on the spot.
Your face burned as you felt your face grow redder and with each passing second as you enjoyed his gentle but firm touch, causing you to look away to avoid staring into those beautiful, deep brown eyes of his. You hoped that he thought your flushed appearance was a result of all the alcohol running through your veins and not the thought currently running through your mind; what it would be like if he suddenly dipped and kissed you with a fervent passion?
"Sorry Charles, I… I… I hadn't realised you'd finished your shift already. Want a drink?"
"I'm okay, thank you, I was gonna try and get some sleep… and I think you should too - big day tomorrow isn't it?" Your brow furrowed as you tried to rack your brain. Had you arranged to go on a job and completely forgot? Charles watched you, with a confused look. "Oh, I thought you'd mentioned the other day that it was your birthday? Maybe I got it wrong?"
"Oh my word, yes it is," you gasped in wonderment, "I can't believe you remembered."
"Guess I just have a good memory for special occasions," he grinned, brushing a loose hair from your face without thinking, making you weak at the knees.
He cleared his throat and moved his hand away. "Well we best both go get some shut eye before the sun comes up. Good night and sweet dreams."
You watched him walk to his tent, before heading to your own. Still smiling to yourself, you drew the flaps shut and fell on the cot, relieving that brief moment you just had with Charles over and over as you closed your eyes and let sleep wash over you.
15th Feb 1899
As the sun beamed through the gaps of your tent, you woke up to a very different camp atmosphere compared to the night before. It was eerily quiet; with everybody still in bed, sleeping off the hangovers they'd given themselves at the party.
Deciding to make the most of having a quiet camp all to yourself, you sat yourself up and stretched - your muscles and joints aching in a way that made you laugh. Another year older today and your body was certainly reminding you of that fact with all the aches and pains you suddenly started feeling.
A part of you doubted anybody else would be able to remember that today was your birthday but you smiled as you saw Mary-Beth hadn't forgotten; she'd wrapped a romance novel with one of her ribbons and left it on your trunk. Next to it was a little handwritten note from her, wishing you a very happy birthday and how "the way the heroine in this story reminds me of how you act around Charles, maybe if you read it you'll end up with your true love too. x"
You playfully rolled your eyes; ever the romantic, Mary-Beth had seen you gazing at Charles one day and decided you were destined to be together.
Pulling on some fresh clothes, you stepped outside and made your way towards the coffee pot, presuming nobody would have thought to wash it out and prepare it ready for the morning. Yet, to your surprise, you lifted it up to find it freshly brewed and still piping hot.
“I figured everybody would be wanting some when they woke up,” Charles chuckled, walking behind you carrying some logs for the campfire.
“I’d say; seems they all had a lot to celebrate,” you laughed, pouring yourself a cup. “You want one?” you asked, offering Charles the filled mug currently in your hand.
“I’m okay thanks, I had one before I made a start on tidying the place up.”
“Oh trust me, I wouldn’t worry too much about that today - Grimshaw will have such a headache, she'll be far more focused on getting all the quieter jobs done," you giggled knowing from previous experience how badly Susan seemed to suffer from next morning hangovers.
He carefully placed the chopped wood next to the campfire before turning his attention back to you. "Oh I bet," he grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Actually, I have an idea that might help keep camp running smoothly and stop people grumbling.'
"Oh?" Curiosity had gotten the best of you and you were intrigued to know what he was thinking.
"I saw supplies were running low and was thinking of doing some hunting later… a good hearty stew might be what the others need to recover," rushing his words out before casting his eyes to the ground. "I, erm… I was wondering if you wanted to join me?"
"What? Because I'm the only other person sober enough to safely use a weapon right now?" you teased.
"That's one reason, but I'd also like some good company."
You stood gobsmacked as he turned away from you, quickly making his way over to Taima, pulling something from her saddle.
"I… I'd like to spend time with you too, but I'm afraid my pistol is no good for hunting." You hung your head in disappointment, mentally kicking yourself that this could be your one chance to be alone with the man you'd admired for all these months - and you've lost it because you never took the time to invest in decent hunting equipment.
"I can help you with that," Charles told you, pulling out an ornate looking bow and handing it to you. "I made it… for your birthday."
"For me?" Shocked by his act of kindness, you traced your fingers over each of the detail engravings that ran along each of the limbs, tears starting to cloud your vision. "This is beautiful, but are you sure you mean to give this to me?"
"Of course… a beautiful bow for a beautiful lady.” A sudden flash of fear crossed Charles’ eyes as he realised what he had just said, his body tensing.
"You… think I'm beautiful?" Your eyes looking deep into his, searching for the truth.
He nodded. "The most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that. If it's too awkward, we can just forget the hunting…"
He stopped mid-sentence as you kissed his cheek, his body relaxing as he realised he hadn't made a mistake in telling you.
"It's not awkward at all, I've liked you for a long time but I could never work out if the feeling is mutual." You gently thumbed his cheek, "Let's go on this hunting trip and talk about this in private shall we?" You suggested as you signaled for Charles to see what you could see.
Stood behind him was a small audience of John and Mary-Beth, both of whom were grinning over to you both.
Charles playfully rolled his eyes and walked you away from their gaze.
"Sounds like a good idea, wanna head out now?"
"Lead the way Mr. Smith." You held out your hand and he gladly took hold.
"Oh wait, you'll need some of these too" he reached back into his saddle to hand you a bunch of arrows… only to be confused as he heard you laughing.
"What's so funny?" Charles asked, trying to read your expression.
"Nothing… just looks like Cupid's arrows found me after all."
Charles' POV
14th Feb 1899
“I’ll take over here if you want,” John grumbled, clutching his face as he approached where Charles was currently taking up guard duty in the wooded area on the outskirts of camp. “I reckon my Valentine's night is as good as over.”
Charles turned to face his campmate, the moonlight showing a fresh red looking handprint across John's cheek. "You blew it with Abigail then?"
"Yep, I pushed my luck just a little too much," John chuckled lightly, "But I'm sure I'll survive. Go on, you go enjoy yourself… I saw [y/n] looking all lonesome up there, she could probably do with some company."
John waggled his eyebrows as Charles pretended to scowl; alcohol had given him loose lips one night and he had ended up confiding in Arthur and John about his feelings about the camp lady he'd taken a shine to. But he couldn’t hold the expression for long as a smile crept over his lips he thought about you.
"I'll probably just get some shut-eye instead, but I have been busy making this for her." He lifted up a beautiful bow that was resting against a nearby trunk. "It's her birthday tomorrow and she mentioned once she'd be interested in learning to hunt properly."
"You're a big old softie, ain't you Charles Smith?" John chuckled. "Well, I'm sure she'll appreciate the thought."
“Don’t you go ruining my reputation, John,” he laughed, making his way to the clearing where all the gang's horses grazed peacefully.
Taima looked up, nickering as she saw her owner nearby.
“Just a passing visit for now girl, but we can go out on a ride tomorrow,” he whispered to her, stroking her neck as she nuzzled against him. “In the meantime, I want you to keep this safe for me.” Charles lifted his saddle onto the hitching post that Taima was attached to, and carefully placed the bow into the holster on it. She watched her owner with curiosity, her ears pricking up as heard Charles rummaging in his saddlebag to retrieve an apple to reward his trusted Appaloosa for her loyalty.
The music was still playing as he walked back into camp, only this time it was Pearson’s accordion and Uncle’s banjo that filled the air as Miss Grimshaw sang a bawdy song. It was clear that the party wasn't ending anytime soon, but that wasn't going to stop Charles from trying to get some sleep. Heading towards his tent, he found himself looking around for a quick glance of his heart's desire, only for you to crash straight into him.
"Whoa, careful there," he told you, gently placing his hands upon your arms to help stop you from falling over on the spot. He could have swore he felt a jolt of electricity flowing through his veins as his skin touched yours.
"Sorry Charles, I… I… I hadn't realised you'd finished your shift already. Want a drink?"
"I'm okay thank you, I was gonna try and get some sleep… and I think you should too - big day tomorrow isn't it?" A flash of confusion crossed your face and Charles began to doubt himself. "Oh, I thought you'd mentioned the other day that it was your birthday? Maybe I got it wrong?"
"Oh my word, yes it is," you gasped in wonderment. "I can't believe you remembered."
"Guess I just have a good memory for special occasions," he grinned, brushing a loose hair from your face without thinking, before catching himself and moving his hand away.
Not really wanting the moment to be over but knowing he must tear himself away lest he stay admiring you all night, he cleared his throat.
"Well we best both go get some shut eye before the sun comes up. Good night and sweet dreams."
Making the short walk back to his own tent, his heart soared as he thought back over your reaction to him remembering your birthday. Now he couldn’t wait to see how you would react to your present.
Settling on his bed roll, he watched you draw your tent closed before allowing himself finally sleep and dream of you.
Charles found himself waking at the crack of dawn, just as the last few stragglers were stumbling towards their bedrolls . Realising he could effectively have the tranquillity of camp to himself, he gladly jumped up and set about getting ready for a new day.
Firstly he made his way over to Pearson’s wagon to grab a few coffee beans and started brewing a fresh pot. Noticing the meat supplies were running dangerously low, Charles made a mental note to go out hunting later and wondered if this could be the ideal opportunity to ask the birthday girl to join him.
While he waited for that certain someone to wake up, he had already stoked the fires back to life and disposed of the empty bottles that were scattered all around camp before finally enjoying a short break with a fresh cup of coffee.
It wasn't until he had made a start on chopping wood he had heard footsteps behind him and smiled to himself as he looked over to see [y/n] making her way over to the coffee pot.
“I figured everybody would be wanting some when they woke up,” Charles chuckled, walking up to her with an armful of logs for the campfire.
“I’d say; seems they all had a lot to celebrate,” she laughed in that sweet way that made Charles’ feel all warm inside as she poured a cup. “You want one?” asking as she offered the mug in her hand towards him.
“I’m okay thanks, I had one before I made a start on tidying the place up," he explained, walking over towards where the chopped wood was to be stored.
“Oh trust me, I wouldn’t worry too much about that today - Grimshaw will have such a headache, she'll be far more focused on getting all the quieter jobs done,"
Charles chuckled as he carefully placed the firewood down before realising this was his chance and turned his attention back to you.
"Oh I bet," grinning with a twinkle in his eyes. "Actually, I have an idea that might help keep camp running smoothly and stop people grumbling.'
"Oh?" you asked, tilting your head with curiosity.
He had noticed in the past that each time you asked a question about something that had piqued your interest, you would often tilt your head in this way and found it utterly adorable.
"I was thinking of doing some hunting later… a good hearty stew might be what the others need to recover," Charles rushed his words out before looking away bashfully. "I, erm… I was wondering if you wanted to join me?"
"What? Because I'm the only other person sober enough to safely use a weapon right now?" she smirked, and he felt his insides flip-flop. She was so damn beautiful.
"That's one reason, but I'd also like some good company," he told her, quickly turning to go fetch the bow from Taima’s saddle.
"I… I'd like to enjoy your company too, but I'm afraid my pistol is no good for hunting." She lowered her head in what seemed to be disappointment.
"I can help you with that," Charles told her, carefully placing the bow in her hands. "I made it….for your birthday."
"For me?" He watched as she traced her fingers over the engravings he spent so much time on, hoping the tears brimming in her eyes were because she was overjoyed. "This is beautiful… but are you sure it's for me?"
"Of course… a beautiful bow for a beautiful lady.” He kicked himself inwardly for saying it aloud,
"You… think I'm beautiful?" Your eyes looking deep into his, searching for the truth.
He nodded. "The most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that. If it's too awkward, we can just forget the hunting…"
He stopped mid-sentence as you kissed his cheek. The feeling of embarrassment replaced by one feeling like he could soar into the sky right now.
"It's not awkward at all, I've liked you for a long time but I could never work out if the feeling is mutual." Gently thumbing his cheek, you suggested, "Let's go on this hunting trip and talk about this in private shall we?"
He followed your gaze to see Mary-Beth and John grinning at you both as they stood by their tents.
Playfully rolling his eyes, Charles guided you away from their gaze.
"Sounds like a good idea, wanna head out now?"
"Lead the way Mr. Smith." You held out your hand and he gladly took hold.
"Oh wait, you'll need some of these too" he reached back into his saddle to hand you a bunch of arrows… only to be confused as he heard you laughing.
"What's so funny?" Charles asked, hoping thewhole entire moment wasn't a set up so camp could make fun of him
"Nothing… just looks like Cupid's arrows found me after all"
