Summary: A certain outlaw tries to pickpocket you, but you catch him in the act
Content & Warnings: Pickpocketing, first meetings, mentions of a public hanging, Reader makes questionable decisions, Reader is not immune to this man’s unintentional charm even when he’s committing a crime (and neither am I)
You spot him, in the crowd. A man dressed in black. He’s slinking through the thicket of people; no doubt trying to find a good spot for the hanging.
Even though you can’t see him very well, what you can see is enough to captivate you. He isn’t from Cortez Creek. He’s finely dressed in a coat and vest, with a hat that covers his hair. The most intriguing piece of apparel, however, is the dark blue handkerchief concealing half his face.
The mystery of the man behind that mask excites you.
Sheriff Hargreve starts to speak, so you turn around and shift your attention to him. He greets the people of the town, talking about how Little Louis has been caught and will soon face justice. Then he lists off Louis’s extensive crimes. You wonder how long this will take. It’s still dreadfully hot out with the sun not yet set, and the dust in the air is beginning to parch your throat.
A presence looms behind you.
It’s faint, almost imperceptible, but you notice. Like a phantom, it reaches closer. Something ghosts the inside of your pocket.
Faster than a snake, you snatch the wrist. It yanks in resistance, but you tighten your grip and whip your head around.
Icy blue eyes lock onto yours. The man from earlier glares at you with venom under the brim of his hat.
Your hard stare communicates one thing in the midst of the oblivious crowd. Don’t move or I’ll scream.
He bristles indignantly.
Glancing down, you spot your coin pouch pinched between his fingers. He’s frozen—caught in the risk of what he wants and what you’ll do. Little does he know, it isn’t your only purse, because you keep a second one properly hidden for cases like this.
You cautiously pry the one of concern from his fingers, but after you’ve recovered it, you don’t make any more movements. You don’t let him go.
He raises an unamused eyebrow, as if to say, “What do you want?”
You eye him up and down. With how close he is to you now, your earlier intrigue only grows. What you can see of his face are handsome features—black hair, thick eyelashes, a strong nose beneath his handkerchief—and you are not immune to their allure.
His wrist twitches. He’s growing antsy under your fixed hold and stare.
Finally, he asks in a quiet, exasperated voice, “Are you going to let me go or not?”
Its deep and breathy nature shakes you to your core. But you can’t let him notice that, nor can you let him notice how charmed you are by his surprisingly English accent.
Still, you fail to be reasonable when you slowly, gently press the coin pouch into his palm and curl his fingers over it.
He looks shocked. Then, for a fraction of a second, he softens. You wonder what he’s thinking behind those beautiful eyes, but they quickly harden into diamond as he pulls out of your grip with more force than needed; like he expected it to be tighter.
He takes no time in disappearing behind the people who are completely unaware of what just occurred—nothing but a ghost now. Despite your folly, you sigh wistfully to yourself. If he’s only here in town for the hanging, you might never see him again. But, if you do, perhaps you’ll have a better chance at establishing a proper relationship. He certainly won’t try and pickpocket you anymore. Whatever happens next is up to chance, so you’ll keep a lookout for the handsome stranger and hope your paths cross again.
I had a blast as a guest artist at the Los Angeles Flute Guild’s Southern California Flute Camp! Thanks to Janelle Barrera and her awesome Staff! #SCFC #LAFG #YamahaArtist https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-8HlZAOtg/?igshid=amz4snw8ahnc
Regrann from @lafoodieguy - Diced Chicken Thigh / Beef Kabob, Hummus, Onion, Cilantro, Chiptole Garlic § Sriracha Garlic Sauce Tacos || @mideasttacos || Glendale, CA ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo Credit 📷: @lafoodieguy ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ These Armenian-Mexican fusion tacos from @mideasttacos have us prematurely thinking of Taco Tuesday. 😌💭🌮 Too bad Mid East Tacos is just a pop-up for now but stay tuned for when they are officially open. In addition to tacos, they'll be offering burritos, too! 🙌 Different? Yes. Delicious? Also yes! Keep Mid East on your radar for the future!👌Like, comment or tag a friend who loves tacos! ✌️😎🌮 #LAFoodieGuy #LAFG ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀👇TAG A TACOS DEVOURER👇kabstagram28 - #regrann
As a hangrygirl, I’m always thinking about what I’m going to eat next. I can’t eat out ALL the time, right? Life gets busy, so I decided to try @milkandeggscom for grocery delivery. OMG I LOVE IT! I select groceries online (organic, gluten free, vegan, you name it) and they’re delivered to my door with 24 hours. Game changer! Check out my story for my latest meal! | #milkandeggs . . . #hangrygirl #food #foodpic #foodgasm #foodphotography #foodlove #foodstagram #vegan #lafoodies #discoverla #lablogger #foodblogger #eaterla #abc7eyewitness #lafoodie #lafoodiemobb #LAFG #eatingfortheinsta #lafoodbuzz #likefoodla #hangry #Toplarestaurants #Toplabites #lafoodbites #Foooodieee #Losangeles #foodandwine #eaterla #f52grams (at Los Angeles, California)
I can't help it.... I'm such a foodie for comfort food in the winter time‼️ 😆 #Repost @lafoodieguy with @repostapp ・・・ Fried Mac § Cheese W/ Shaved Jerky || 7th St. Cafe || Los Angeles, CA ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Video Credit 🎥: @valleyfattyguy ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Getting some feels just watching this cheesy stretch. 😩 @7thstcafedtla is now open and you can get some pretty gnarly delicious goodies there! Like Hot Cheetos fried chicken!👌Like, comment or tag a friend who would love these cheesy balls! ✌️️😎🧀 #LAFoodieGuy #LAFG⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ 👇🏼👯 TAG A MAC N CHEESE LOVER! 👫👇🏼 (at Downtown Los Angeles)
