#tom blyth angst | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

coconut-dreamz · 3 months

Text

you're losing me

'how long can we be a sad song' || tom blyth x reader

part two

a/n: i felt angsty and i love this song so i wanted to write something based off of it

you say, "i don't understand, " and i say, "i know you don't" we thought a cure would come through in time, now i fear it won't

the fights felt as if they were never ending lately. it hadn't always been this way, but that felt like a lifetime ago. the problems had started when tom began filming for tbosas but they had ceased when filming for it wrapped. but your relationship wasn't the same as it was before. now it was time for promotions and the fights had started up once again.

"i don't understand! why do we keep having to have this fight over and over again!" tom shouted. you scoff in disbelief at his outburst. he didn't know why you felt so insecure and jealous? it wasn't like you had told him at least a dozen times before.

"you know what, just go on your tour alone. i don't want to ruin it with our fighting." you resign, taking your already packed suitcase back into the apartment, away from the door. "you should go, the cab's waiting." you tell him quietly, unable to look up from the ground.

he just sighs, "alright, i'll see you in a few weeks." staring at you, waiting for you to look up at him. " have a safe flight," you look up at him, but refuse to meet his eyes. he just thanks you and heads out the door.

remember lookin' at this room, we loved it 'cause of the light now, I just sit in the dark and wonder if it's time do I throw out everything we built or keep it?

you sat in the dark room of your shared apartment with tom. you had picked it because of the view of the city lights, but now it just felt cold and desolate, like nobody lived here. in all honesty, it hadn't been lived in for awhile. with tom gone for movie promotions, you hadn't been able to be here alone, opting to stay with a friend instead.

you don't know where to go from here. should you salvage what remained of your relationship with tom? or should you scrap everything and start new?

the latter choice had been seeming more and more appealing as of late. you hadn't heard from tom in days. at first you chalked it up to him being busy and the time difference, but you saw he posted a new croissant review and realized he was ignoring you. where had it all gone wrong?

i'm getting tired even for a phoenix always risin' from the ashes mendin' all her gashes you might just have dealt the final blow

you had made the mistake of watching one of tom's latest interviews with his costar rachel. you watched it because you'd missed him, but now that you'd watched it, you wished you just stayed missing him. you didn't miss the way they looked at each other. it'd been so long since you'd looked at each other like that. your eyes were always filled with rage or tears whenever you saw him lately.

you were just so tired of it all. you contemplated texting him and breaking things off. it'd be a whole lot easier that way. maybe the weight on your chest would be lifted. but a part of you didn't want to let go of him. he'd been your everything once.

stop, you're losin' me i can't find a pulse my heart won't start anymore for you 'cause you're losin' me

"how are you baby?" tom asks, his voice cutting through the silence, breaking you out of your reverie. he managed to find some time to call you while on his press tour. "huh? oh, i'm fine. how are you? how's press tour going?" you ask absentmindedly, hearing you ask about tour sparked a light in tom's eyes. he started rambling about the antics he and his cast mates had been up to.

you smiled fondly hearing him talk, until he mentioned rachel. she'd been a sore spot in your relationship lately. the mere mention of her name left a sour taste in your mouth. the grin on your face immediately swept off.

"it's getting late, i think i'm gonna go to bed. i hope the rest of your tour goes well," you fake a smile, trying to hurry to end the facetime call. "oh, i guess it is late over there. i love you, sleep well.” he bids you a goodnight. "love you," you reply and end the call. you bury yourself in your blankets, tired of the emotional turmoil that was caused by your relationship lately.

every mornin', i glared at you with storms in my eyes how can you say that you love someone you can't tell is dyin'? i sent you signals and bit my nails down to the quick my face was gray, but you wouldn't admit that we were sick

you'd lost the glow your skin once had. it'd became increasingly noticeable to those around you. your makeup artist had to try harder to make it less noticeable on red carpets and photo shoots. but it was all in vain, everyone noticed how you'd looked sickly lately, everyone but tom.

or, if he did, he didn't mention anything about it. "you look great." he complimented as you two climbed into the car that was to take you to the premiere of his film. it had taken your makeup artist a lot longer than usual to do your makeup, having to cover up the blemishes and gray tone of your skin from the lack of care you'd given yourself lately. you’d been opting to lay around in bed, moping.

"thanks," you mutter as the car begins to move. you picked at your nails, something you'd picked up lately to help deal with your nerves. you no longer could have any type of nails, you'd bit them down to nubs lately. but tom didn't seem to have noticed. he didn't seem to notice anything about you lately.

and the air is thick with loss and indecision i know my pain is such an imposition now, you're runnin' down the hallway and you know what they all say you don't know what you got until it's gone

"stop! where are you going?" shit. you stop dead in your tracks, tom was home early for once. you'd thought he wouldn't back for another day or two. "did you hear me?" he makes his way in front of you. you try avoiding his gaze, but it was difficult when his icy blue eyes stared into your soul.

you tried to formulate the words to tell him it was over. "i'm leaving." you finally managed to say. his concerned eyes turn frantic at your words. "what?" he whispers out, grabbing your hand. "you're leaving? why?" you take a breath, you tried leaving when he was gone because you couldn't face him. "things haven't been the same lately. i think we need a break. i'm going to stay with a friend. i'll come back for the rest of my things later. i think it's best if we don't talk for awhile." you manage out, finally meeting his eyes.

what a mistake. his previously concerned eyes were now filled with sadness. you tried moving past him to your car. he grabs your hand one more time, "can you at least tell me what's wrong?" you sigh hearing this, "i think you know why, tom." is all you answer, dragging your suitcase behind you.

how long could we be a sad song 'til we were too far gone to bring back to life? i gave you all my best me's, my endless empathy and all i did was bleed as i tried to be the bravest soldier fighting in only your army frontlines , don't you ignore me

it'd been a few weeks since you'd moved out of your shared apartment with tom. you felt relieved when you had finally walked out of the apartment. it had been feeling less like a home and more like a prison lately. you felt stuck in time in there. everyone around you was moving forward their lives, your friends, family and especially tom, but there you were. stuck waiting around for tom to give you the time of day.

you'd spend too long waiting around for your relationship to go back to how it once was. you'd given that relationship your all but got the bare minimum back in return. you should've called time of death on it months ago, but a big part of you wasn't ready to let go. you had spent your best years with him after all.

and i wouldn't marry me either a pathological people pleaser who only wanted you to see her

you and tom used to talk about the future all the time. laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and giggling about your thoughts on what the future had in store. you told him about your dream wedding and he told you about how he wanted a cozy home with a big yard for your future children.

but that seemed so far in the past. you suppose he changed his mind. who'd want to marry a person who'd give every piece of themselves for someone who won't even bat an eye at them? you'd given him your all in the last year of your relationship, but had gotten nothing in return. all in an attempt to bring back what you both once had.

and i'm fadin', thinkin' "do something, babe, say something" "lose something, babe, risk something" "choose something, babe, i got nothing to believe unless you're choosin' me"

you laid in the makeshift bed of your friend’s studio apartment waiting for tom to reach out. you were aware of what you had told him, but you wanted to see if he truly did care about your relationship.

it hurt to see him happy on set of billy the kid. you followed his castmates and it hurt to see the snippets of him on their stories. he looked so happy and carefree. the exact opposite of how you were feeling and probably looked.

you hoped he was just respecting your wishes of having no contact for a few weeks, but the small voice in the back of your mind was screaming that he didn't care. that he was happier without you, that he was better off now that you were gone.

you're losin' me stop, you're losin' me stop, you're losin' me i can't find a pulse my heart won't start anymore

a constant buzzing woke you up from your deep sleep. you blindly search for your phone. when you find it, the clock shows that it's exactly 12 in the morning. you hit answer without looking at the contact. "hello?" you answer, your voice raspy from lack of use.

"love? it's me, tom. it's been exactly 6 weeks like you said. can we finally talk?"

#coriolanus snow #tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tom blyth #tom blyth imagine #tom blyth x reader #tom blyth x you #coriolanus x reader #tom blyth angst

233 notes · View notes

slutforsnow · 4 months

Text

Skin Don't Matter To Me

Quick a/n before the fic gets started; I am SO SO SORRY to those who were upset/uncomfortable/angry that I made the original billy x black!reader a former slave!reader. I didn't think. I shouldn't have been up at 1am writing. It was horrid and a terrible decision on my end. Forgive me or not, is entirely up to you. Ty to the anons who called me out for it and made me realize it was wrong to do that, biracial or not. I hope you can forgive me 🫂

Tw/CW: insecurities, anxiety, racism is brought up (not comments, just behavior).

Summary: Reader gets insecure about her relationship with Billy after seeing some girls flirt with him.

It was a chill Saturday evening in the saloon as patrons drank, played poker, and chatted absent-mindly. It was an easy night, for sure, aside from a few drunken snide comments made towards reader, but she shrugged them off. After all, she wasn't getting paid to fight the customers.

As she hummed and wiped down the bar, which was currently empty, she stopped midway to wipe some sweat off her face—reader loves her afro, and has no problems pulling it back so she didn't sweat to death while she worked, but some nights it was just too hot and having so many people out and about the saloon was making it harder to deal with.

Her dark skin shone in sweat as she worked but didn't complain. She had to make a livin' somehow, and she wasn't gonna do that by moanin' and groanin'.

As she resumed her work, she flashed a smile towards her boyfriend as he played poker. He was in his favorite seat, watching her work as he placed his bets and ignored the other girls hitting on him and trying to get his attention. He was technically working as well—he and his boys were security for the saloon because some of the customers were still quite horrid to the folks of color who worked, especially the women. They'd try to threaten y/n but were often silenced or kicked out by Billy and his men.

Y/n and Billy had been dating for 2 years, despite the ups and downs of him being a cowboy and the racism she'd face for being a black woman.

As she worked, still humming, she caught sight of some white girls being all touchy and whispering things in his ear. She bit her tongue as to not cause a scene and focused on continuing to grab glasses and wipe down tables.

'He'd never leave me. He's said that,' She thought to herself as a reminder that Billy would never leave her for some white girl. She was his, and he was hers. Yet, despite the constant love and affection he would give her, she still got that nagging fear that he would leave her.

A few hours later, Y/n's shift had ended and the couple were headed back home to the ranch that they bought with their savings over the course of their relationship. Y/n was silent the whole way home, which made Billy worry that he did something wrong.

"Darlin' did I do somethin' wrong?" He asked, setting his hat on a hook by the door as he shut the door behind him.

A lump formed in her throat and she sighed, knowing he'd keep asking if she said nothing.

"It wasn't you, Billy it... it's just my fears," She answered, trying to dismiss her fears.

"Well, what's wrong? It won't go away unless you talk to me."

Damn his smooth and relaxing tone- she didn't want to talk about it, afraid it would turn into an argument about his loyalties but he was so understanding that she knew she she couldn't hide it from him.

"Those... those damn whores that keep touchin' on you like you're not taken," She told him, sighing. "I know it's probably stupid or somethin-"

"Oh thank the Lord, I was hoping you'd bring this up," He breathed out, letting out a relaxed laugh and earning a perplexed look from y/n.

"...What?"

"I've been wanting to tell you about that. I never wanted to stress you out, but I hate, and I mean absolutely fuckin' hate when they do that. It gets so annoyin', I tell them I'm taken and to back off, but do they listen? No." As Billy continued to ramble about how he hated the other women touching and talking to him like he wasn't a taken man, she smiled.

He was so vocal about how much he hated it when they touched and flirted with him that it eased her worried soul and she hugged him tightly.

Fucking hell, she loves this man so much.

238 notes · View notes

slut-taylorsversionnn · 4 months

Text

summary: it’s tom’s birthday so his girlfriend y/n wakes up early to surprise him with croissants

i woke up and quietly got out of bed making sure tom was still asleep. it was his birthday and i wanted to surprise him with his favorite thing ever (other than me obviously) croissants!

so i started pulling up his favorite recipe and got to work. this was my first time making them without tom there to help so i was a little nervous they wouldn’t turn out because let’s be honest tom is the chef is this relationship but i couldn’t not make him croissants on his birthday!

the timer went off and i pulled the croissants out of the oven and they smelled soooo good. i was setting plates on the table as i felt two arms snake around my waist and lips pressing a kiss into my neck.

“sweetheart did you wake up early to make me croissants?” tom asked as i turned around to face him.

“yeahhh…” i said blushing and then i stood on my tiptoes to give his lips a light peck. “the best boyfriend in the world deserves some homemade croissants on his birthday, that’s just a given.”

tom blushed, “that’s why i decide to keep you around. that and the bomb sex.”

“TOM! why do i decide to put up with your nonsense?” i said giving him a light punch in the arm.

“you know you love me” he said as i squealed from him tickling my sides. i tried to tickle him back but he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder before setting me on the couch and attacking me in kisses. he starts leaving love marks all over my neck and chest when the second timer i set goes off to ensure i didn’t burn the croissants.

“got a little carried away didn’t i” tom laughed and pulled me off the couch.

“we can’t be having any little tom’s running around just yet” i remarked.

“you know i don’t hate that idea actually. could that be my present this year?” tom said.

“just eat your croissants” i rolled my eyes and dragged him back to the kitchen.

author’s note: hope you enjoyed and don’t forget to vote on the series i want to write and leave suggestions for any tom blyth stories you want to read! ;)

#tom blyth fluff #tom blyth smut #tom blyth imagine #tom blyth #tom blyth fanfiction #tom blyth angst #tom blyth fic #tom blyth x reader #tom blyth x you #coriolanus snow #billy the kid #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus x you #tbosas

161 notes · View notes

asmutwriter · 5 months

Text

Outlaws (Part 1)

DESCRIPTION: Managing to get away from your past you stumble across a small town. Inside you meet the acquaintance of Billy the Kid

WORD COUNT: 2761

Next / Master List

WARNINGS: swearing, threat, guns

DISCLAIMERS

This is fiction. Please always talk to your partner before doing anything and make sure they are ok with what you are doing beforehand

It will not follow the timeline of the show. But I hope you enjoy.

Not been proof read

You start walking along the road. Hearing the steps of horse hooves on the ground. You turn, seeing a gentlemen riding along. A cart being pulled behind. You wave your arm out, causing him to slow down. "You ok miss?" you smile at the older gentlemen.

"I was wondering where you were driving to?"you reach itno a small purse on your waist, pulling out a couple of notes as he talks

"Just a small town a few miles away for work" You hold them out to him.

"Could you drive me there please?". He looks at the small wad of cash, at the gun around your waist, then at your face. Nodingg he scoots over on his cart. You smile, hitching your skirt up slightly as you get onto it.

Making small talk with the man as he drives you both there. You hop down from the cart as you arrive, waving at him before walking around the town. Hands clasped neatly behind your back as you wonder around.

You see a few kids playing. Men outside a bar drinking. Some more men smoking. Woman emptying a bucket of dirty water. Another woman walking with a load of laundry. You watch as a couple of men start to follow the woman with the laundry. You tilt your head slightly. Walking after them slowly, trying to make it obvious you werent following but wanting to be quick enough to prevent anything from happening.

WHen you get down the end you see the men have surrounded her. There were three men in total, one seemed to be the leader. Going over to her and going to stroke her cheek. You watch as she moves away from his touch. His deminear changing to a more aggressive one at the rejection. You speak loudly as you walk confidently.

"There you are!" you go overe to the woman. Linking an arm with hers "I was wondering where you had got to" the men back away slightly, eyeing you up to. You look at them, resting a hand near your waist. Not threatening them but making their eyes aware of the gun hanging from your belt. "Sorry to interfere gentlemen but I need to steal my dear friend from you" you smile at them, walking with the woman. Quickly.

Going out into the public space with her. SHe puts the washing down onto an outside table. "Thank you" she speaks softly

"Will you be ok now?" you ask. She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand. Nodding slightly as you nod and smile, going to walk off again. SHe grabs your wrist, dropping it quickly as you turn to face her again

"Whats youre name?"

"Hope" she nods. Smiling softly at you as she brings her hand up, resting it on her chest lightly before putting her hand back down

"Kathleen". You nod and smile, titling your head slightly

"Its been a pleasure meeting you Kathleen" you go to walk again but she taes a step towards you

"Ive not seen you around here before? Ive been here a while so I recognise the locals"

"I arrived not to long ago. I wont be staying long though, just passing through" she nods

"How long are you staying for?"

"About a week" she nods. Thinking for a moment.

"Why dont you stay with me and my family for the week?"

"Oh no I dont want to interfeir with your life"

"I insist. Goodness knows what wouldve happened if you werent back there. You saved me. Its the least I could do for you".

"So long as you're sure?" she nods and smiles softly at you

"We've got a spare bed. Its not the comfiest but its probably better then the beds the inns round here have" you chuckle slightly and nod

"Thank you ma'am" she smiles at you as you motion at the laundry "let me help you with that" you grab it from where she had popped it. She goes to protest but you shake your head. SHe sighs, looking at you before leading you to where it needs to go.

"I'll be finishing work within the hour if youd like to hang around until then? I could take you back to mine afterwards" you nod. Smiling at her as you go and order a drink from the bar beore sitting at a table.

The hour passes quickly. She walks with you back to her house. It was small but well kept. You look around as she goes over to the kitchen. STarting to prepare some food.

"Who do you live with?"

“My husband and two sons. They should be home soon" you nod. As if on cue the door opens. "Speaking off. These are my sons" you turn, seeing two youn boys walk in. The taller of the two takes off his hat and places it onto the table. He meets your eyes. You smile at him as he glances at the gun still around your waist.

"This is my eldest son Billy and then my youngest Joe". You put your hand out towards the older, a smile still on yur face

"My names Hope" he takes your hand, gently shaking it before dropping it. You could not read the look he was giving you.

"Shes new in town. Arrived this morning. i said that she can stay the week with us". He nods, eyes ramining on yours as he motions his head at your weapon

"Thats a nice gun"

"Thank you. It was a gift from my sister in law". The door opens once again, an older gentlemen walks through the door.

"This is my husband Henry" he shuts the door behind him. His eyes scanning over your body. In a very different way to which the son did. "Henry this is our visitor Hope. Shes our guest for the next week" His eyes coming back up to meet yours as Kathleen continues to speak "Dinner will be soon. Billy darling, could you grab out some plates" he nods. You walk over towards him

"Let me help". He grabs out some plates, handing them to you. You go over and start helping dish out the food onto the individual plates. You then sit around the table, Mr and Mrs Antrim sitting either end. The brothers sat next to each other as you sit oppoite Billy. Kathleen says grace before you all start to eat.

They ask you a few questions. Where have you travlled from? Have you travelled alone? Where are yu heading to? You answer their questions as truthfully as you can. Not wanting to tell them the full truth of why you had to run away from your family.

As the meal finishes and after the plates have been cleared and cleaned Kathleen shows you to your bed for the next few days. You sit onto it. Soon sleep catching up with you from the hectic few days - hell even weeks that youve had.

You wake up in the morning. Getting up and going outside. Resting against the outside of the house as you watch the street. Hearing the door open you turn, seeing Billy walk out. He half smiles at you which you return. Looking back at the people. He walks over to you

"What are you planning on doing toay then Miss?"

"Theres no need for the formalities. Please call me Hope" you smile at him as he leans against the wall next to you "I dont know. I dont really have any plans today. Just wonder around town I guess" he nods. You go to ask him what he was planning just as a blonde haired man appears riding a horse. He smiles at Billy before dismounting. His eyes meeting yours as a soft smiles comes over his face

"Whos your friend?"

"Hope" you answer "and you are?"

"Jesse" he smiles at you before turning his head back to Billy "you still up for some shooting Kid?" he nods, standing up straight you look between the two men

"WHat are you boys shooting?"

"We go down by the field and practice shooting" you nod, standing up straight as Billy goes to untether his horse

"You two have fun" you smile at them as they both mount their horses.

"You have fun to miss" Jesse says at you, snaking his tongue over his lips before riding off. Billy tilting his hat at you before following his friend.

You stay and help at Mrs Antrims home. Helping to do some of the chores around the house whilst herself and her husband are away at work. You end up helping out one of the maids, helping her do the washing or hanging up the clothes. You're in the kitchen, you're cleaning the dishes as shes drying and putting them away.

You hear the fron door open. Looking you see the older son walk in. Smiling at Billy before going to carry on. The woman speaks next to you in Spanish. Not unsual due to her ethnicity. What did surprise you though was when Billy spoke back to her in Spanish. You look at them both, a look of consufion on yoru face. She lets out a soft scoff as Billy smiles at her. Speaking some more in Spanish

"What are you talking about?" you half smile, confusion still in your eyes as you look at the girl. She chuckles, almost a giggle as she grabs the dry plates. Going over and placing them onto the shelf. Turning to Billy he smiles at you.

"She was asking as to why you were staying with us. So I was informing her" you nod

"What did you say?"

"That I dont know why you're in town but you'll be staying with us over the next few days" you nod again. Putting your hand in the sink as you take out the plug. Finsihgint eh dishes as the girl comes over and carries on drying.

"Are you going shooting again tomorrow?" he nods. Placing his hands on his gun belt as you trun to face him, tilting your head slightly as you meet his eyes.

"Yeah. I try and practice everyday"

"Would you be able to take me out to practie?" he chuckles slightly

"Why do you need to shoot?"

"Its a dangerous world we live in. A girl can never be to careful" he nods, smiling as he looks down.

"Yeah I can teach you to shoot" he looks back up at you "you've got your own weapon right?" you nod. "Good" he smiles. His eyes soft as they watch yours "I'm going to go and help ma. Ill see you soon" you nod, watching as he alks off.

You continue helping the girl arond the house. Then helping Kathleen make dinner when she gets back before heading to bed. You wake up early in the morning. Getting up you grab a ribbon. Tying up half of your hair . Two strandes falling either side, framing your face as the rest fall down your back, over your shoulders.

Going into the kitcehn you smile at Kathleen. Who is rushing to get out the house. Late for her shift. You wave goodbye to her as she rushes out the door. Billy comes in, smiling at you. "Good morning" you smile at him "Still up for shooting today?"

"Of course" you answer him. He relaxes his smile as he looks at you. "Will your friend be joining us?" he shakes his head.

"No. No Jesse has other things to do today" he holds your gaze as you nod. Pushing your lips tgether slightly "shall we go then, miss?" you chuckle slightly.

"I told you. Call me Hope" you smile, walking past him as you go to the front door. He follows you, going over to his horse. "How far is it to walk?"

"Do you not have a horse?" you shake your head. He nods slightly. Untethering and then mounting his horse. He holds the reins taught as he hods a hand out towards you. "You can ride with me". You take his hand, letting him help pull you up as you sit behind him. You rest your arms around him, resting over his stomach as he starts his horse in a soft trot.

You get to an empty field. A few fallen trees in the middle of it. He dismounts his horse, holding his hand out towards you as he helps you jump down. Going and tying his horse to a tree. “Lets see the gun you have” he stands about a metre in front of you. You take it out the gun holster, handing it to him. He looks at it, his eyes filling with a gleam as he examines the weapon. “This is a very nice gun” he spins it a couple of times in his hand, taking aim at the tree line. Getting the feel for the weapon. He nods in approval as he hands it back to you. Talking as he sets up the makeshift shooting rink.

"I assume you've shot before?". You shake your head as he looks at you in disbelief "you have one of the nicest guns ive seen yet you've never used it?"

"I dont know what else to tell you" he chuckles, walking back up to you as he motions at the various bottles and cans on the fallen trunk.

"Lets see what we're working with then". You take out your gun. Aiming it. You fire. Missing the targets completely. SOmehow managing to get a tree a ways back. You lower the gun.

"If I say that I was aiming for the tree then does it count?" you look at him. He lets out a soft laugh as he shakes his head. You take in a breath, aiming again. Squeezing the trigger. Once again hitting none of the targets. You throw your head back and let out a sigh of defeat. Causing him to laugh. "I give up. Its impossible" his lips turn slightly.

"Yeah?" you nod. He faces the items. Taking his gun out and taking aim. Shooting six times. Hitting five of the targets. Your mouth drops in awe as you watch. Turning your head to face him, he smirks as he looks at you. Putting his gun back in its holster.

"How the fuck did you do that?"

"Ive been practicing a long time" you scoff slightly

"No kidding" he smiles as a soft chuckle passes his lips

"Come on. Put your gun up". You do. Your body facing towards the items as he comes up behind you. Gently resting his hand over yours as you fee his breath on the shell of your ear. "Look at where your shooting. Take in a breath and aim. Exhale and pull the trigger". You do as he says. Drawing in a long breath, holding it as you aim at the item. Exhaling before pulling the trigger. It doesnt hit the items but itdoes hit the log the items are on.

"Good. Relax some more and aim a bit higher. Then repeat what you did". You take in a breath. Aiming, exhaling, then shooting. Hitting a glass you watch as it shatters. A smile comes over your face as he moves away from you. You turn to face him, grinning at him "Well done" he smiles. "Do you think you can hit the rest of the targets?"

"Just be impressed that I managed to hit one, ok?" he laughs. Watching you as you bring the gun up. Repeating the same four steps as to which he told you to do. Managing to hit two more tagrets. You bite your bottom lip as you try to hold back your glee. Turning to face him you meet his eyes.

"You're improving. Not that you could've gotten worse" you playfully push his shoulder

"SHut up" he chuckles. You reload your ammo before bringing the gun back up. This time managing to hit 4 out of 6. The both of you practice for about an hour. Taking it in turns to shoot. Once youve finished you put your gun away. He helps you get back up onto the horse. Holding onto him as he rides back home.

He jumps off. His hand coming out for you as he dismount. You gently stroke its neck as he ties the horse up "Same time again tomorrow?". He asks. Eyes looking at you as he rubs the horses nose. You nod.

"I look forward to it" you say. Going inside their home.

125 notes · View notes

sweettu1ips · 4 months

Text

honest question..

If I were to create/write a whole series about super actress!reader who has practically starred in a bunch of AMAZING cinematic films(tv shows)…

However, her main focus right now is “HG: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”, and “Saltburn”…

Who exactly would you guys want to be end game??

-Tom Blyth: (Best friends to Lover trope/ slow burn-ish) best friends through out filming, becomes official throughout press tours. Has a sense of insecurity when reader begins filming alongside Jacob Elordi (her known ex-partner) for Saltburn— however she is quick to assure her lover with an infinity of promises.

-Jacob Elordi: (Second chance lovers/ slow burn) dated for a whole year while filming euphoria, but mutually ended their relationship. Remained good friends. Rumors begin to stir between reader and Tom Blyth, leading to a nasty truth(and a breakup)— Jacob Elordi jumps at the chance to win her heart back and mend what’s never been broken.

!!!! BUT AGAIN, I WON’T PROMISE THAT I WILL GO THROUGH WITH IT, ESPECIALLY SINCE I’M VERY BUSY WITH ACTING SCHOOL !!! Just wanted to know your opinion..

personally, I’m team Blyth. but I love Jacob just as equally. 😌🤚🏻

……. Also I’d imagine this to be a fairly long series considering the timeline of each film— as well as the chemistry build between the two dynamics.

119 notes · View notes

swiftieblyth · 3 months

Note

Can I request Tom with soccerplayer!reader? Maybe something a little angsty where she loses a championship final and Tom is there to comfort her and supports her no matter what

Championship Game

a/n oh my gosh, I absolutely love this! I actually have a friend who just broke her nose in a soccer game! Sorry if this isn’t enough angst, I feel like it’s very light angst. I hope you enjoy though! Thank you so much for the request!

warnings- soft-angst blood, pain, Soft!Tom

You were pacing around, terrified to lose. This was it. It’s the championship game. If you lose this you lose everything you’ve worked so hard for your whole life. All the way from starting to play club when you were five, to playing for your college to playing competitive like right now. This is it. This is the soccer game of your life. And of course to make you even more nervous the love of your life, Tom Blyth will be there cheering you on.

“Darling,” you heard an enchanting British voice from behind you. You turned around to see Tom smiling down at you. “You’re going to do great!”

“I can’t just do great, I have to be perfect,” you explained. “One slip up, one mistake and everything I’ve worked for my whole life is out the door and down the drain.”

“That’s not true love. I know you want it to be now, and I hope it is now, but if you don’t win you can always try again, yeah?”

“Tom-“

“No, you can always try again. Hey, look at me,” he let out, gently cupping your hand on your face to have you look up at him. “You can always try again. Understand?”

“Yeah.” You breathed, leaning your head on his hand. “I just don’t want to lose.”

“I know. And I hope you don’t. But no matter what I will be so proud of you, and love you so much.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course my love.” Tom smiled, kissing your lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You’re going to do great!”

Tom was right, you were doing great. You were down to the last few seconds of the game. Both teams tied and ready to make the winning point. Tom was watching and cheering for you the whole time.

Your teammate kicked the ball over your way, you went running, not wanting to let the other team win. You slammed your foot down ready to kick with the other foot when you heard a snap and felt a sharp pain spread through your leg. You screamed as your leg gave out and you fell to the ground. You screamed again when the ball came flying at your nose snapping it out of place.

You hit the ground, screaming and crying uncontrollably as blood spilled out from both your leg and your nose.

Tom jumped up and went running to you, quickly get to you and squatting by your side as the medics make their what to you.

“Tom-“ you struggled.

“I’m right here love. I’m right here.” Tom cooed, holding your hand.

“I just lost the game.”

“That doesn’t matter right now.” Tom let out, stroking the top of your head.

“Y/N,” a medic called. “We’re gonna get you on a stretcher and take you to the hospital, okay?”

“Okay,” you let out, a tear falling down you face, as Tom was handed tissues to hold up to your nose.

You were rushed to the hospital and sent into immediate surgery. They put you under some sleeping gas while they did the surgery and sent you back to a room with your whole leg wrapped up in a cast. Tom sat by your side and held you hand waiting for you to wake up.

Your eyes started to fluted open as you looked around, feeling someone holding your hand. You turned around and saw Tom sitting on the chair next to you with his eyes closed.

“Tom…” you asked, voice groggy.

“Hey, love,” he smiled, gently putting his free hand on your hand, stroking some hair out of your face. “How are you feeling.”

“Like my leg got chopped off. What happened?”

“Somehow you broke your leg so bad that the bone was almost all the way out.”

“What?!” You cried. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” Tom cooed.

“No it’s not! It’s not okay! I’ve worked my whole life for this game and my friking done decided to come out in the middle of it! I’ve worked my whole life for it, and now it’s gone! I’m never going to be able to play again!”

“Hey, shh,” Tom let out, whipping the tears off your face. “Look at me. You will play again, okay? It’s just going to take some time. This seasons done anyway, so when you get the clear to start easing your way back into playing, you can start getting ready for next season. But now you need to rest and let me take care of you, yeah?”

“But-“

“No ‘buts’ my love. I’m going to take care of you. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He smiled, bending down and giving you a soft, loving kiss.

#tom blyth fluff #tom blyth fanfiction #tom blyth imagine #tom blyth x reader #tom blyth x you #tom blyth #tom blyth x fem!reader #tom blyth angst

7 notes · View notes

ghostfacd · 6 months

Text

SASSY MEN DO IT BETTER! | TOM BLYTH

PAIRING. tom blyth x fem!actress!reader

SUMMARY. in which yours and tom’s behind the scenes gossip session goes viral and everyone’s dying to know who’s it about

AUTHOR’S NOTE. thank you to whomever requested this, nonnie i love you! this was so much fun to write and instead of Instagram posts, I decided to do tweets this time! enjoy as always and thank you for the overwhelming support on my au, it means so so much

installment of this au (recommend reading for context)

It started off innocent.

Just you and Tom in the background of a Behind The Scenes video where Rachel was currently talking about her character, Lucy Gray Baird.

You and Tom were fairly close in proximity—as you always were anyway—and you two were scrolling through your phones, showing each other funny videos or pictures of beautiful places that showed up on your feed.

That was until a message popped up from your ex, some jerk who had somehow gained a role in a movie and thought he was now some hotshot in the film industry.

“Oh seriously,” Tom mutters, watching as you tapped on the messages your ex had sent you. “He’s got to be kidding.”

Your ex had apparently “missed you greatly” and wanted to hang out so you two could catch up. He said he watched The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and was in awe of how well you acted. If he wasn’t such a toxic asshole when you two were dating, you would take it as a compliment.

“I don’t know where he has the nerve.” Tom says, giving you a disgusted look. “Like girl, please.”

“Girl please?” You say, giggling as your head fell back into his chest. “Baby, I didn’t know you said things like that.”

“There’s plenty of more where that came from,” he says, “Okay, I need to stop. What if someone on set thinks I’m crazy?”

“They already think you’re crazy.”

Tom rolls his eyes, shoving your shoulder back slightly. “You’re lucky you’re my girlfriend.”

“I think you’re more of the girlfriend in the relationship Tom,” you say, shrugging. You fail to hold in your laugh as you watch Tom’s expression turn into shock. “I’m kidding, thank you for being the best boyfriend I can ask for.”

He grumbles a sure whatever under his breath when you engulf him in a tight hug.

“You’re practically crushing my lungs.” He says a minute in, only to be responded with a roll of your eye. “But hey, I’m much better than that newbie actor ex of yours, right?”

“Is that even a question?” You say, pulling away. “He was just nonchalant and mean to me half of the time. Don’t know why I even dated him.”

Your phone goes off, another message coming from your ex. “Oh, he called you knock off Draco Malfoy, which by the way, isn’t even an insult because he doesn’t even come close to you or Draco Malfoy in terms of looks.”

Tom lets out an honest to God laugh at your commentary, shaking his head in amusement. “Yeah, but didn’t you have a huge crush on Malfoy as a kid?”

You pretend to think for a minute before nodding your head teasingly, “yeah, I guess things never change huh?”

“Okay stop, you know I’m a fake blonde.”

And the entire moment between you and Tom is captured on camera, sending your fans into a frenzy as they watched how cute you two were with each other.

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus snow angst #coriolanus snow smut #coriolanus snow imagine #coriolanus snow fanfiction #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus snow x you #tom blyth x reader #tom blyth #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #the hunger games x reader #the hunger games

6K notes · View notes

wh0reforcoriolanussnow · 5 months

Note

Could u do a tennis girl!reader x tom and she’s rlly good and playing at Wimbledon where tom comes and watches like the supportive boyfriend he is. Reader gets injured or something and the medics come on court and tend to her and the camera focuses on tom who is very worried. Maybe tom even gets to go on court and holds readers hand to comfort her and this makes fans go crazy. Love ur writing btw 🫶

When in Wimbledon || Tom Blyth x gf!reader

A/n: I LOVE WATCHING TENNIS!!! I actually went to Wimbledon this year and watched Emma Raducanu play so I made her the fc for this!!

Warnings: reader gets injured, idk what else

Wc: 808

Tom Blyth masterlist

divider by @pommecita

You feel a pair of strong hands wrap around your waist as a smile makes it to your lips, his familiar scent hitting your nose as you turn around. “I’m so happy you’re here,” You whisper in his neck, your hands wrapped snugly around him as he rubs your back.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, darling,” He grins, kissing your head before you go back to stretching with your coach. Tom watches as you stretch your limbs, preparing yourself for the match that was going to begin in 30 minutes.

You kiss your boyfriend goodbye, parting ways with him as it was your time to step out into court—Tom making his way to your player box where he would be seated beside your coach.

You step onto the pristine grass court at Wimbledon, the crowd buzzing with anticipation as you, a skilled tennis player, prepare for a crucial match. The familiar scent of freshly cut grass and the echo of applause surround you.

Tom’s eyes were fixated on you the whole time, his applaud more louder and enthusiastic than everyone else’s. The match unfolds, and you dominate the court with your powerful serves and agile movements. The spectators erupt into cheers with every successful point you score.

Tom can’t help but smile, his eyes filled with pride as he watches you play. The atmosphere is electric, and you can feel the energy of the crowd propelling you forward.

As the match progresses, you’re in top form, moving gracefully and hitting the ball with precision. Tom’s enthusiastic cheers blend with the crowd’s roars. And in a split second—in a misstep—your ankle gives out on you, tripping over and landing on your wrist, the anguish shooting through your body, a light scream leaving your lips.

The crowd falls into a hushed silence as you crumple to the ground, clutching your injuries, your breathing deep and harboured. The medics rush onto the court, their urgency reflected in the worried expressions of the spectators.

Tom’s face tightens with concern as he leans forward in his seat, his eyes never leaving you. “Fuck,” Joseph, your coach whispers to himself, his hands rubbing his forehead. The camera captures the worry etched on Tom’s face, and the entire audience holds its breath, collectively hoping for your well-being.

The medics examine you, carefully tending to your injured wrist and ankle as they move you to your seat. The pain was unbearable, and you fight back tears, knowing that this might mark the end of your season.

Tom watches with a pained expression, unable to hide his concern. Your coach stands from his seat, your seat was close enough to the players box that you could hear Joseph’s words of encouragement, but it’s Tom who steals the spotlight with his genuine worry and love for you.

Your entire body was shaking as one hand covers your face, tears brimming your eyes. You wanted Tom. You needed him by your side. You knew he would calm you down straight away. “Tom. I want my boyfriend here,” You hold one of the medics arm as he looks at you before nodding, talking into his radio.

In a heartwarming moment, the officials allow Tom to come onto the court. He rushes to your side, his face a mix of anxiety and determination. A sigh of relief escapes your lips as he gently takes your hand, “It’s okay, I’m here sweetheart, you’re going to be okay,” he offers words of comfort that only you can hear. His touch and soothing words calm your racing heart as you struggle to come to terms with the potential impact on your season.

The crowd watches in awe as Tom’s support becomes a beacon of reassurance amid the uncertainty. His caring gesture elicits a collective “aww” from the fans, who can’t help but admire the bond you share. Social media lights up with admiration for Tom’s devotion to you.

As the medics continue their evaluation, the reality sinks in—this might be a significant setback. Your eyes meet Tom’s, and he offers a gentle smile, silently promising to be there through thick and thin. The disappointment is palpable, but the gratitude for Tom’s unwavering support tempers the pain.

The medics advise you to withdraw from the match and seek further medical attention. Tom helps you stand, supporting your weight as you limp off the court. The crowd, initially filled with the thrill of competition, now applauds the display of resilience and love.

You give them a weak smile and wave as Tom remains by your side. When you step into your locker room, Tom assists you with a supportive arm around your shoulders. The pain is intense, but his presence provides a comforting distraction.

Your coach walks in as he engulfs you in a hug. “You’ll be okay, y/n. It’s a setback for sure, but you’ll be okay,” he comfortingly says to you as he hands you a water bottle to which your gratefully take.

You were taken to hospital, Tom still by your side as he held your hand. “You’ll be off for a few months, Y/n,” The doctor gives you a sympathetic smile as you nod your head, tears already blurring your sight.

The second the doctor left leaving you and Tom alone. You broke down in tears. He gave you a hug, whispering reassuring things in your ear. As you sobbed. Your season had been going so incredibly well until now. But you were grateful that Tom had been by your side during the entirety of it.

Y/n_Y/l/n

Liked by tomblyth, wimbledon, rachelzegler, josephmccarty and 8,307,253 others

before wimbledon vs. after wimbledon 🥲 it pains me the I have to miss out on the other half of this tennis season and I tried to downplay the issue so I thank all my fans who continued to support me during this difficult time. I’d like to thank all my close friends and family for being by my side during all of this. I love each and every single one of you 💗

view all comments

tomblyth: you’re so strong ml ❤️

↘️ y/n_y/l/n: I love you.

josephmmcarty: you’ll come back stronger than ever 💪

user92: I was there watching the match live and when I saw tom jumping the gate and rush to her, my heart melted 😭

user10: hope you heal quickly y/n!!!

user56: her and tom are literally so wholesome 🥹 when he was holding her hand when she was in pain, i swear i died of of how wholesome the moment was

user01: such a shame, she was doing so well this season!!! Get better y/n :)

765 notes · View notes

goosita · 6 months

Text

coriolanus snow is not a good man— he watches you from afar, eyes like a hawk and plush bottom lip pulled between his teeth. he doesn’t know if he’s being obvious and he doesn’t particularly care. he feels his teeth clench when you laugh and chat with other men, something hot and unpleasant stirring below his ribs. it should be him that makes you giggle like that, makes your nose scrunch like a little bunny rabbit at a joke. jealousy stings and he finds himself having cruel thoughts about things he wishes would happen to those other boys.

coriolanus snow is not a good man— but you speak to him so kindly, so softly. he’s never once mentioned anything about his home life, careful to keep up his facade. but you? you notice the way his cheeks are hollow, the way his belt has extra notches punched into it to tighten further. you wordlessly slide him a granola bar in class and pretend you don’t hear the way his stomach gasps the way he refuses to let his mouth do. you bring him a tin of cookies you “had leftover” the night before, filled with chocolate chips and butter that will bring his calorie count for the day up. he doesn’t say thank you, but the way the corners of his lips twitch upwards and his gaze softens when you pass him a pastry under the school desk is enough thanks for you.

coriolanus snow is not a good man— his hands shake sometimes, when he remembers the way sejanus had cried for him to help at the hanging tree. when he remembers the sound of his only friend’s neck snapping and echoing, the way it sent chills down his spine and he felt like vomiting. he did that. he killed sejanus. he is a murderer, and yet you still brush his hair back in the middle of the night. its starting to grow again, pale locks falling over his brow. he is a murderer, and you still kiss his temple. you still whisper that you love him, that he’ll be okay.

coriolanus snow is not a good man— the sore in his mouth aches, a necessary evil to ensure your safety. he’d had no other choice, that senator from 2 was eyeing you all evening at dinner. for fuck’s sake, he shouldn’t let it get to him. he’s a president now, not some unhinged teenage boy. but the way that man had touched you, let his fingers linger at your waist, that would simply not do. you are the first lady of panem, you were untouchable. to anyone but him, of course. as you pass by him where he sits, you tut softly and pause to brush the blood off his lip, licking the red fluid off your own fingertip and dropping a kiss to his head. you remind him to be careful.

but coryo is good to you— he touches you so carefully, hands so gentle. his fingertips are always cold, but it never bothers you. not when they brush against your hairline, his palms cradling your cheeks as he kisses you like a man starved. not when they graze the bare skin of your back, your chest flush with his as his lips make their way down your neck. not when they squeeze at your hips, your thighs splayed out around his own waist and trembling with the way he pushes his cock up into you. not when they caress your cheek in the morning, his soft whispers of “good morning, sweetheart,” echoing in your ears.

coriolanus snow is not a good man. but he is your man.

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus snow x you #coriolanus snow x reader #coryo #tbosas #coriolanus snow smut #coriolanus snow angst #tom blyth

4K notes · View notes

m4tthewmurd0ck · 5 months

Text

Tom Blyth x Actress!Reader

i try to avoid descriptors but i do use she/her! click [HERE] for my tom blyth masterlist :)

you post a meme, but of course the internet takes it too far. set a few days after the vogue interviews, so tbosas has been out just over a month. we’ll just say december 22 since it came out november 17. also i changed the ending for the film because eventually you’ll be working on the sequel hehshsdb

tagged; ewanmitchell

liked by houseofthedragonhbo and others…

yourname me trying to sneak into theaters so i can see people’s reactions to tbosas but i don’t want them to know it’s me. alternatively; coriolanus walking around knowing damn well what he did to sejanus and lucy gray 🤬

username excuse me i’m wheezing 😭

↳ username she really tagged ewan snsjdhxjsushxa

rachelzegler 😂😂😂😂

yourname has liked this comment

username she better avenge her boyfriend in the sequel!!!!

↳ username has a sequel been confirmed already???

↳ username not officially but with how things ended there better be one. talk about a cliffhanger!

↳ username can anyone spoil it for me how does it end??

↳ justiceforsejanus well since you asked!! after the cabin fight scene with nova may and coryo, he does manage to knock the gun out of her hand and attempt to choke her to death BUT my gworl makes an escape and goes who knows where. cut to coriolanus with his 3rd hairstyle of the movie and he looks out before it cuts to black and then the quote from future him “it’s the things we love most that destroy us”. you think it’s over right but NO MID CREDIT SCENE!!!! he knocks on a door and nova may answers. she’s obviously shocked and all he does is that stupid grin (🥵) and say “we’re gonna make a deal”. THEN the screen cuts to black and… that’s all we get. definitely potential for a sequel

↳ username waaaait that means yourname and tomblyth will work together again! and this time their characters might interact more!

username why does she always post ewan when she’s dating tom?

↳ yournamefan relax becky it’s a meme.

↳ username just saying i wouldn’t appreciate that.

↳ yourname good thing i’m dating tom and not you then isn’t it 🤭 also i love you yournamefan 💕

ewanmitchell if i had a dollar for every time you used this screenshot 😩

↳ yourname omg it’s lucerys killer aaaahhhh!!!!

↳ ewanmitchell i hate you 😩😩

enews uh-oh! yourname posting about her on screen boyfriend and not tomblyth? 👀

↳ yourname please take several seats

yourname has blocked enews

username poor tomblyth

↳ username right. yourname isn’t even that pretty he could do so much better!

↳ username 👏👏👏👏

↳ username i hope he leaves her soon.

yourname has disabled the comment section

Tom Blyth x Actress!Reader taglist — if you requested to be tagged and don’t see your user, I wasn’t able to tag you! if you’d like to be added, let me know!

313 notes · View notes

sadisticsongbird · 5 months

Text

fair and just ~ william bonney

summary: billy’s been arrested and it’s bringing up some questions about your father and what his true line of work is.

warnings: physical abuse (please don't read if this subject triggers you), fluff, language, not proofread

word count: 5.6k

You hadn't known Billy long, but long enough to know that he wouldn't hurt a fly. Sitting in the back of the room, you watched as your father was ready to sentence him. He got caught, granted, but he never actually did anything. His shoulders were slumped over and he faced the ground, knowing what was coming. You wanted to stand up and yell at your father, but you kept quiet, huddled in the back of the room and wearing stolen clothes from your father’s old closet and a hat tilted over your face so no one knew you were there. Women weren’t allowed in the courtroom, but you weren’t recognizable.

“We find the defendant, William Antrim, guilty of attempted burglary and theft at the said Chinese premises and sentenced hereby to a total of three years in jail.”

You heard a sharp inhale to the left of you, recognizing him as the journalist who came up to visit the town a few weeks ago. Only from what you had heard, you knew that he was here investigating the rings that ran around here. Not that you knew much about them. Just that they were the power around here.

“Young as he is, we hope the defendant will use his time in confinement to reflect on his crime, and when he emerges back into society to commit himself to more lawful and productive lawsuits.”

The gavel rang through the hollow room, leaving everybody in silence. You saw something change in Billy’s body language, making him seem like he had no idea what had just been happening. “Remove the prisoner.”

Something seemed to click in his mind when Billy began to argue with your father’s decision.

“Wait! Don’t I get to say anything? This sentence is plain unfair.” Billy asked.

You agreed. While you knew your father wasn’t a completely lawful person, he never dismissed the fact that everyone was given the right to a fair trial. With no idea what was exactly happening, you kept quiet and still in the back.

“I didn’t steal anything. I didn’t hurt anyone,” he rebuked again, raising his voice.

Your father harshly put the gavel down again. “I said, remove the prisoner!”

You were ready to push towards the front of the small room and demand that he give Billy a chance to speak. But you couldn’t move. If your father found out that you were here, you’d be a dead woman. He had made it perfectly clear that you shouldn’t insert yourself into his work. You were all he had left, your mother passing in childbirth along with your younger brother ten years ago.

As the room began to fill with chatter, two men moved over to Billy harshly grabbing his arms and pulling him towards the cell in the other part of the building. He was coming your way but you knew you couldn’t reach out to him. You would risk your father spotting you, or worse, the two men wrestling you away from Billy. Instead, you tipped your hat up slightly, enough so that anyone looking directly at you could see your eyes. Puckering, your lips you whistled a short tune, quiet but loud enough for him to recognize as the song his mother sang to him over and over again as a child. His head glanced up around the room, searching for the source of the tune. When his eyes met yours, his gaze lingered even as the men pulled him out of sight. Realizing that your face had been out in the open a little too long, you quickly dropped your hat back down and glanced around the room. No one had seemed to notice this few second interaction, except for one. The journalist. He stayed looking at you with concern in his eyes, but when you averted your gaze, he did too. The room was still for a moment, but out of the corner of your eye, you saw the journalist next to you calmly walk towards the front of the room.

“This is a travesty,” you heard him mutter quietly to your father, leaning towards him. “To make a kid pay for the things I’ve done?” What things? Did he get Billy wrapped up into whatever this is? “Shame on you, Judge.” Pushing himself off of your father’s stand, he moved towards the front doors. You couldn’t take your eyes off of him as he walked out, burning your gaze into the side of his head. He was almost out of your sight when he glanced towards you and gestured for you to follow. Without another word, the writer left.

“Hands,” the jailer said, redirecting your attention to Billy. You watched his hands pop out from the cell bars and the jailer removed the cuffs from his wrists. You couldn’t see his face, but from the way he retracted his hands from the reach of anyone, you knew he was livid. You thought back to the journalist. Mr. Upson, was it? Against your better judgment, you made your way towards the door, careful not to alert anyone else of your presence. When you embraced the outside and Upson was nowhere to be found, you caught yourself wondering if he really meant for you to follow him.

“Ms. Wilson.”

Turning around, you saw Upson leaning against a wooden support, a cigar to his mouth.

Clearing your throat, you opened your mouth to say something, but was quickly interrupted. “I believe we should talk. How ‘bout a walk home? Wouldn’t want your father findin’ out you’re out here.”

You made no reaction, yet he still walked on, leaving towards your home. With your mind moving faster than your feet, you watched him walk a block before you actually began to move. Kicking up the dust from the oversized boots on your feet, you finally were shoulder to shoulder with the journalist, looking up at him for answers.

“Why do you think Billy’s bein’ punished for something you did?” you ask.

He inhaled, taking a moment to come up with an answer.

“How much do you know about your father’s work?”

“Not much. I know he’s this town’s only judge. He’s got this other thing that he won’t tell me what it is, but he says it's for improvin’ our lives. Everyone’s lives out here.”

He laughed slightly at your innocence on the subject. “Sure, sure.”

“What? Did I say somethin’ wrong?”

“No, no,” he reassured. “Just…how much do you know about the Santa Fe Rings?”

The Rings? Not much. You knew that they were a power group out here in the West, but not much else seemed to be known about the members. From what you had heard, they tended to be on the richer side of folks out here. “Not a lot. Just what people like to say out here. What does that have to do with my father?”

“Did you know he was part of them?”

Your father was a part of the Santa Fe Rings? That would explain this other job that he claimed to have, but it couldn’t be. Your family wasn’t by any means rich and your father maintained honest work. He never made poor judgment on a case, no matter how much better it would be for anyone. You refused to answer him, only asking another question.

“But what does that have to do with Billy?”

“The men your father works for have got an issue with me bein’ around here. Me knowing Billy hurts him. They all think he’s doing digging for me and my investigating.”

“He isn’t, is he? He never mentioned it.”

“No. I tried to get his help a while back, but he’s stubborn. Doesn’t want to wait to resolve things.”

You nodded in agreement. You knew how impatient Billy could be. He got upset just waiting for you to grab your things if you were going out. Part of you wondered if it was because he felt the need to look over his shoulder all the time. Ever since he was little, he always had his guard up, waiting for something or someone to sneak up and take everything away. The only time he seemed to let his guard down was when he was drunk or when he was with you, and even then, it didn’t last long.

“Is there any chance they’ll retry his case?”

Upson just shook his head in response. “The Rings have their fingers way too deep out here. They got eyes and ears everywhere. If Billy is getting in the way of things, even unintentionally, he’s not getting out until his sentence is served. By then, they’ll probably come up with something new to charge him for if he’s still a problem.”

“Not even if I talked to my father?” you asked, genuinely wondering. But your question was answered the moment Upson’s arm swung across your chest to stop you from walking.

“None of this conversation reaches your father. He must not know you were in that courtroom today. Being here, talking to me, is already putting you at risk. If your father finds out, or anyone from the Rings, finds out there is even a slim chance of you being in the way, they’ll arrest you or even kill you.”

“Then why talk to me? Why put me in danger?”

He scoffed, continuing to walk forward towards your home, now in sight. “I need your help.”

“How am I going to help? Especially after you just told me to stay out of it?”

“Stay out of the way, yes. Let everything happen as normal. All I need to know is if something is going to happen. Your father is deeper in this than he lets on. To anyone.”

You already didn’t believe he was involved. The man who taught you how to survive out here yet still hold onto your morals? The man who raised you to stand up for the right thing? While you knew it was a possibility, you forced yourself not to believe it.

“Forget it,” you said, making your way to your front door. “I don’t wanna lie to my father, much less rat him out.” You took a pause. “IF…if he is what you say he is, then I’ll think about it. But the father I grew up with has never done anything in cold-blood. He believes in the fair and just.”

Upson hummed in response. “Okay, Ms. Wilson.” He tipped his hat to you. “You’ll know where to find me.”

You watched as he turned around, making his way back down the street he had just walked with you. His words were stuck in your head. Was there the possibility of your father being corrupted in his line of work? Even if it was true, how many people had then been hanged to save your father’s skin? To save anyone’s? Pushing those thoughts to the back of your mind, you quickly hurried inside to take your father’s clothes off. They suddenly began to itch and it made you want to claw at your skin. The moment you were inside the doors, you forced the fabric off of your body. No. Upson couldn’t get in your head. Your father was fair and just. Fair and just. Picking the discarded clothes off the floor, you ran to your room and put on the dress you were wearing this morning. Upson might have been wrong about a few things, but the one thing he was dead on about was the fact that your father could never find out that you were there. You hung his things back where they were supposed to be, making sure they looked as neat and untouched as possible.

Taking a deep breath, you decided there were a few things that needed to be done before your father got home. You grabbed the bucket sitting next to the door and walked out to the well outside your house. There was an elderly woman already there trying to lift her pail over the edge, but the rope only seemed to be slipping from her hands. Picking up your skirt, you rushed over to help, grabbing the rope from her hands.

“Thank you, dear. You have a good heart.”

“It’s no problem at all,” you said to her smiling. “Do you need help taking it back home?”

“No thank you dear. I’ve got my small cart to help me,” she said, gesturing over to her wagon already loaded with cloths and food from the market. After you helped her get everything settled, you watched her walk up while you got your own water from the well.

You couldn’t help but let your mind wander to what Upson said about the Rings being everywhere. If they did, why would he risk talking to you out in the open? You didn’t want to believe anything he claimed to be true, but a part of you couldn’t help but look over your shoulder now. Despite the fact that you didn’t want to be involved, you knew that you already were. Whatever relationship you had with Billy was bound to be questioned and with the possibility of your father being a part of the Rings, you knew you weren’t safe. Once you had a full bucket, you made your way back into the house, placing the water over the fire to warm for your bath tonight then began to prepare food for dinner. Once your father got home, you would have to act like you had been here all afternoon. And you couldn’t bring up the case either, despite how much you wanted to avenge Billy.

You sat at the table, food all prepared, waiting for your father to walk in the door. You could barely move from your spot on the table, your muscles tense and hands shaking. Your tongue was raw from biting it all evening. You couldn’t make up your mind. A part of you knew better than to question your father, but you wanted to know what was truly happening with Billy. But were you then really about to question your father? He wouldn’t hurt you, would he? He loved you, but that didn’t stop him from harming you for questioning his authority. Your breath halted when you heard the front door open. He’s home.

“Mmm, smells good. Y/N?”

“Yeah, Pa. I’m in here.” When his figure walked in, the small light in the kitchen illuminated the shadow of his body so that it towered over you. Your father wasn’t a sprightful man, but where he lost in that he made up for in sheer strength. You wondered if he would have been able to take down Upson or Billy if either one of them had initiated violence in the courtroom earlier today.

“How was your day, Pa?” you asked, standing up from your chair to begin making a plate for him.

“Tiring,” he groaned, placing his coat on the back of his chair and sitting down in the seat adjacent to you. “Had a tough case today.”

“Yeah?” you tried to seem oblivious. “Heard it was a kid.” “Where’d you hear that?” your father said awfully quickly.

Shit. You had no reason to be in town today. If you said something wrong, you know your father would be mad. “Mabel stopped by today. Giving me one of my books back. She’d been in town with her mother today.”

Your father said nothing, only humming at your answer. You placed his plate down in front of him and began to make yours. “It was a kid. Matter of fact, you know him. William Antrim. Was arrested for burglary last night. Such a shame for such a young boy” You tried not to react, no matter how much you wanted to argue. He knew that it was attempted theft. Why would he lie to you? Did he know you were lying?

“You mean Billy? Yeah, I know him. Helped out his mother in the restaurant last summer. He seemed like a nice boy,” you finished, setting your plate down and taking a seat next to your father.

“I don’t want you hangin’ around boys like that. Anyone committing crimes and diggin’ where their noses don’t belong are just asking for trouble. Trouble I don’t want my daughter caught up in.” He rested his hand on top of yours, meant for reassurance but only made you want to pull away. You knew your father was shady about his new Rings business, but maybe you didn’t know as much as you thought.

“Let’s say grace,” you suggested.

Without another word about Billy, your father agreed and began to pray. The both of you sat in silence for the rest of the meal, the only noises being the silverware on the glass plates and your father clearing his throat. The tension was thick and weighing over your heads. You hoped your father couldn't tell how angry you were with him not only for what happened to Billy but also for lying to you about it. When the food off your plate was finished, you stood up, placing your dishes on the prepping table. You'd wash them later when you could stand to be in the room with your father. You then walked over to the fire where you had been warming water for a bath. The pail had barely been lifted from the flames before your father spoke up.

“You know, I thought I recognized my old hat in the back of the courthouse today. Would you happen to know anything about that?” Fuck. You'd been caught. Did he know you were there for Billy or did he just assume you'd been there to see him? “I thought I told you not to involve yourself in my business.”

You took a deep breath. “I know, Pa. I know,” you said, turning to face your father. “I just wanted to go into town today and I figured I'd come see what things happen that you tell me stories about. But I knew-”

“When I told you to stay away from people like Antrim, I meant it. You were there for him today, weren't you, and don't you lie to me young lady.”

You couldn't get a word out before he spoke up again. “Despite what you may think, that ruling was fair and just and to know it.” His voice was beginning to raise and his body along with it. He stood from his chair and his fist pounded on the table along with his words. “Question my judgment again, Y/N, and you WILL regret it.”

Tears were threatening to spill over, but you cleared your throat and picked up the pail. “Yes, sir,” you managed to get out.

You didn't give your father another glance before heading to the washroom. You needed to wash the grime of your father's old clothes and the dust from the town off of your skin.

As you let the water cascade down your body, you couldn't help but think of Billy. It would be dark soon and he was stuck in a cell. From the way he looked at the trial today, he hasn't eaten much in the last few days. You knew that his mother had been sick before she died a week ago. She had contracted whatever his little brother had died from a month prior. He was all alone now. You knew he had hung out with the likes of Jesse every once and a while, but other than that, you were kind of all he had. The two of you weren't close friends by any means but he got along with you surprisingly better than him and Jesse. You were one of the first ones he went to when his family died. You understood what it was like to lose family. Although you still had your father, lately it had felt like you were the only person in your home. His business took him away from home far too often for your liking. You and Billy both filled that lonely hole in one another’s lives. You were pulled from your thoughts when you heard a knock on the door.

“Y/N, I know you're upset with me and what happened today, but you have to understand that I did what I had to.”

You scoffed, getting out of the water and grabbing your drying cloth. “I'm not talking to you, Pa.”

“You have no reason to be upset. Antrim was trouble as it was and it was only a matter of time before he snapped.”

“We're not talking about Billy. What's done is done, even if you're wrong,” you decided to argue. You were losing your temper. What happened was wrong and you know that is it was anyone else, there would have been a fair trial. But those in cohorts with Upson were doomed to Billy’s fate.

“I’m not wrong. The boy had what was coming to him. Better you learn that now so you don’t end up in the same predicament.”

“Don’t give me that shit, Pa. You know that you were only trying to save your own skin. You and them Ring fellows. All you were doin’ was keeping people from findin’ out the truth about you all.”

There was silence coming from the other side of the door. You wrapped yourself tighter in your drying cloth, worried that you had taken it too far. Everything that Upson had warned you about had just spilled out in anger for Billy. You made your way to the door, ready to push it open to see what happened when your father came storming in. You could almost see the steam coming out of his ears as he charged towards you. As far as you could, you backed up towards the wall, trying to keep yourself together in your father’s presence. As strong as he was, you could be stronger. No matter what your father did to you, you wouldn’t let it show.

“Now you listen to me, young lady,” he spit in your face, gripping you tightly by the chin. “What I do is none of your goddamn business. And if you wanna talk about what’s really happening in my work then you are just as good as that no good journalist you seem to want to defend. Bound for the noose,” he screamed. His fingers dug into your skin, burning their imprint in your skin. Your body was still as you didn’t allow yourself to move. He had never gotten this angry with you before, never walked in while you were indecent, and never laid a hand on you like this before. The person you thought you knew was completely gone. But maybe he was never there to start with. Against your will, you felt a small tear slip out of the corner of your eye, falling onto his hand.

“Do you understand me?” he seethed.

“Yes, sir.”

With one last search in your eyes to make sure you meant it, he dropped your face and turned around swiftly toward the door. You could almost feel your face bruising. When you reached your hands up to touch the marks, you realized just how much you had been shaking. You couldn’t live like this, scared of your father. Making quick work of gathering your things in the washroom, you blew out the lantern hanging and hurried across the hall to your room. The moon was shining nicely through your window, illuminating the space around you so you could see. Dumbstruck by what had happened, you didn’t bother drying yourself off or getting yourself dressed. All you could do was grab the small shotgun hiding inside your nightstand drawer and crawl under the covers. There was no need for your weapon before, but tonight you felt that you needed that extra layer of protection.

There was a knock outside of your window. At first, you brushed it off as dust or a branch hitting the window, but when you heard it again, you peeked your eyes open. You couldn’t see it clearly, but there was what appeared to be a shadow outside your window. It could just be the tree’s shadow bouncing off of the moon’s light, but it moved in a way only a person could. Realizing that you were still naked, you grasped the gun in your hand slightly, cocking it so you were ready to shoot if you needed to. After you heard glass shatter, you squeezed your eyes shut, relying solely on your gut for where to aim. There were some grunts, but not loud enough for you to figure out who it was. You waited a few seconds before flipping the gun up from out of the sheets. The person matched your speed, taking his gun out of its holster and pointing it directly at your head. But even in the dark, you could see his face, making you lower the gun almost instantly.

“You gotta get quicker than that if you hope to defend yourself, doll.”

Billy.

Watching as he placed his gun back on his waist, you then pretty much threw the gun across the room, no regard for your father probably sleeping in the other room. Trying to keep as much of your bed sheets around your body, you climbed over to Billy who was at the foot of your bed. He wrapped his arms around your form as you threw yours around his neck, practically jumping at him. Thankfully he was strong enough to keep the two of you from falling backwards.

“The hell are you doin’ here? How’d you…”

“I got out,” he said, pulling away from you. He leaned his forehead on yours and looked in your eyes. “We gotta talk.”

“We do. Billy, the hell? Why would you come here? This is gonna be one of the first places they look when they find you missing.”

“I bought myself some time. I needed to come here and find you before…”

“Before what?” you asked.

He needed to tell you. He couldn’t without telling you first. “Before I go.”

Letting your arms fall from around his neck, you sat back on your knees on your bed in disbelief. “You’re leavin’?”

“Y/N,” he began, leaning down to put his hand on your cheek. “I gotta get outta here. Ma’s gone, Joseph’s gone, Jesse left me for dead. I…I gotta go,” he finished with his voice cracking.

“Billy…” you barely let out. You could see tears starting to pool in his eyes. You’d only ever seen him cry twice before and it was when he lost his brother and mother. You mimicked his movements, caressing his face before taking his hat off and letting his brown curls fall loose. Letting your thumbs brush over his cheeks, you felt his now free falling tears on your skin. He was losing a lot by deciding to leave tonight. He was losing his friends, losing his family, losing his home. You couldn’t let him lose everything. “Let me come with you.”

His face flashed with confusion. Why would you want to leave all that you had? For him? It was then he noticed the purple blemishes on the bottom of your face that weren’t there this morning in the courthouse. “Who did this?”

It didn’t register right away what he was talking about, but when his fingers started to brush over your chin, the pain helped you figure it out. “It doesn’t matter.”

“YES IT DOES!” he raised his voice as loud as he could with your father next door. “It does, Y/N. I’m gonna kill ‘em.”

“Billy! All that matters is that I wanna get outta here. I can’t let you go off alone. I can’t let you lose everything.”

He felt that his heart would shatter any second. The only other person that cared for him like this was his mother. You would never know how special you were to him. Billy’s mind raced over the consequences, the negative possibilities of bringing you with him. As much as he would love for you to go, he’d rather you be safe. But were you safe here? Whoever did this to you certainly wasn’t someone you could be around.

“Okay.”

Your eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yeah, come with me.”

Reaching up, you leaned in, initiating a kiss. It started out slow and relaxed, before he registered what was happening. Billy deepened the kiss by brushing his tongue along your bottom lip, allowing yourself to open up to him. Your hands snaked around his neck in an attempt to bring him closer to you. His fingers hooked themselves under your chin, both of you melting together. There was a feeling in your stomach resembling what could only be described as butterflies and all you could do was let out a small whimper as he pulled away from the kiss. Just enough that they didn’t still stick to yours. “Y/N,” you heard him slightly whisper.

“Go, find us a horse. I’ll be ready shortly.”

He didn’t say anything, only smiled at you before grabbing his hat and heading out the way he came in. As quietly as you could , you stood from your bed and began to dress in the clothes you had on earlier today. You grabbed your small bag under your bed and began stuffing it with things you knew you’d need or want to keep. Some extra pairs of clothes, a blanket, extra bullets, a locket that your mother gave you when you were younger, and your guitar. You knew it wouldn’t fit in the bag, but you never left anywhere for long without it. As soon as you were ready, you grabbed the gun off of your bed and stuck it in your boot. One last thing, you told yourself. Setting everything down next to the window, you made your way out towards your father’s bedroom. You knew exactly where to find it, having placed it there this evening. Your father’s old hat. As much as you loathed him right now, you needed something to remember him by. Having hurt you or not, he was still your father, still the man who cared enough to keep you and raise you all these years. You watched his sleeping frame, body sprawled all over your mother’s nice sheets and an empty beer bottle in one hand falling over the edge of the bed. You won’t cry, you told yourself as you let your hand come up to brush the marks your father left. You were ready to be on your own. You NEEDED to be on your own…well, with Billy. Ready to leave the room, you spotted some stationary on your father’s desk. You thought for a moment before deciding it was best to write a letter. Scribbling as fast, but as neat as you could, you folded the completed letter and stuck it next to the gun inside your boot.

Making quick work to get out of your father’s room and back into yours, you noticed Billy already waiting at the window for you to hand your stuff out to him. You gave him your guitar and slung the bag across your body.

“Got the horse?”

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, avoiding answering your question and moving his hand up to glide his fingers on your bruises.

A quick peck on the lips was answer enough for him, but you figured you reassure him with words, muttering a small yes. Setting your guitar case down in the gravel, he helped you out the window, careful to guard your body from the glass shards still sticking out of the wood. You jumped down from the sill and into his arms before he gently set you on the ground. He walked over to the clearly stolen horse and began to strap your instrument to the animal, easier said than done. You were ready to tell him to forget it before he told you it was stuck and wasn’t going to fall off. He knew how much you liked to play, how much you liked to sing. He couldn’t let YOU leave this part of yourself behind. Getting on the horse, he made sure that he was settled and everything was in order before sticking his hand out to you. He pulled you up onto the horse, seated nicely behind him with your arms already around his waist.

“Before we leave, I need to make a quick stop.”

“Sure, he said, before urging the steed forward. He made his way through town, careful not to disrupt anyone or anything and avoiding the jail. How know one seemed to know he was missing yet blew your mind, but the only thing you were concerned about right now were delivering this note and getting the hell out of this town. You made sure you were on the side of the building, double-checking that this was, in fact, the room, before grabbing the piece of paper in your boot and sliding it under the window sill, far enough for the person to grab it. As soon as you knew it was secured, you told Billy you were ready. Spurring the horse on, you and Billy began to move faster than before, nearing the edge of town. The sky was near pitch black. The moon had by now disappeared behind the clouds and the stars were the only thing guiding your way. You let yourself fall into his back, letting yourself close your eyes as you both rode off into the night.

a/n: i'm back to writing and i've found some *cough cough* inspiration. I'm also willing to write more parts to this fic AS LONG AS IT IS ASKED FOR.

307 notes · View notes

slutforsnow · 4 months

Text

Death, Revelations, & Jail

A/N: This one might end up being just a tad longer than the last 3 chapters :3 ALSO I FINALLY FINISHED EPISODE 3 😭 IM SORRY IT TOOK FOREVER, HENRY BEING PATHETIC WAS FUNNY 😭😭

Tw: Joseph's death, revealing Violet's trauma (grooming, SA, assault, abuse, manipulation), Kathleen's death, robbery

At the funeral, Violet stood with Kathleen and Billy per Joseph's final request. His reasoning had been that he wanted her there instead of Antrim because of how caring she was compared to his step-father. Violet was touched by him asking for her to be there in his final moments.

Violet had one hand on Kathleen's back, rubbing her back as she and Billy sprinkled dirt on Joe's body, holding back her own tears. She didn't know why, but she just wanted to bawl her eyes out. He had been a sweetheart in the short time she had known him and had prayed for him to recover.

Billy and Kathleen didn't deserve this; they were too good of people to have lost Joseph. If Violet could bring back Joe, she would even go as far as ask God to take her abuser and ex-friend.

'If anyone deserves to be in the ground it's that fucking-'

Violet's thoughts were interrupted, hearing a familiar voice. Her heart dropped, and she suddenly felt lightheaded.

She slowly turned to face him. What was he of all people doing here?

As Violet watched the short argument between Kathleen and Henry, the pieces began to make sense. Henry was Billy's step-father and Violet's abuser. She felt hot tears fill in her eyes, but not of sadness, oh no. Of anger. Hatred, even. He was here hurting two more people while his victim was here in front of him and he had the fucking nerve to pretend everything was fine between the two of them and ignore her? Violet balled her fists, glaring at Henry, and scrunched her nose up in disgust at the blonde bastard.

"You really think that Joseph would want you at his burial? He asked me to be here instead of you because he felt more loved by someone he just met instead of his own stepfather that he's known for the past 6 years?" She spat, her chest heaving up and down, as she felt her heart speed up. Henry paled, looking at Violet.

If he didn't remember her before she spoke, he sure as hell remembered her now. Kathleen and Billy looked between Henry and Violet, seeing the tears of rage roll down on Violet's cheeks.

"Violet- what are you doin' here?" A simple question, how pathetic was he? To ask how she was while she was recovering from the damage he caused her?

"Really? That's your question? Not 'I'm sorry for doin' what I did to you two years ago I hope you can forgive me'?!" She yelled, feeling her knees grow numb. She felt faint, sick even.

Why would he act so casual?

"Vi, what are you talkin' about?" Kathleen asked, sounding genuinely confused that her husband and Violet, whom she now considered to be a daughter to her if Violet and Billy were to ever date in the future, knew each other.

"What I'm sayin' is that your husband and a third party manipulated me into thinkin' he loved me but only used my 16 year old body for such disgustin' and vile things," Violet stated, glaring at Henry but speaking so gently and sweet to Kathleen.

"You what!?" Billy shouted in anger, turning to Henry. He immediately reached for his pistol, ready to put a bullet between his eyes, only to be stopped by his mother.

He always had a bad feeling about Henry, but knowing that he was the one who violated Violet was beyond disgusting. It was horrid. Silence stood between the 4 of them and Billy shot between Henry's feet, causing a cry of fear and surprise to erupt from Henry's throat.

"Warnin' shot," He stated bluntly before pulling Violet into his embrace as Kathleen practically dragged Henry back to the house to shout at him for what he did to her.

"You can put your pistol away, moron," Violet teased, giggling to herself as Billy rubbed her back, listening to the sounds of the two men burying his brother.

"No, I'm gonna need it when I get back to the house," He told her, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Don't waste your bullets on him. He needs a slow and painful death," She argued, laying her head on his chest as he held her close.

Billy pondered that for a moment; get rid of the problem or let the problem suffer.

"You're right, he does deserve to suffer," He murmured, putting his gun back in his gunbelt. "I'm sorry he did that to you."

"Why are you sorry? You didn't know," She questioned, looking up at him and wipin' her tears away. As she did, she had also revealed her scars across her nose. He didn't say anything about her scars, thinking they added to her sense of danger.

"For not doin' somethin' sooner so he couldn't have hurt you," He answered simply, as if it was obvious. Violet felt a faint redness creep up onto her cheeks; he cared about her that much when they had only met a few days ago?

"Awh, Billy that's mighty sweet of you," She replied, not meeting his gaze so he didn't notice her growing redness. Billy gently laid his forehead against hers, smiling at her as he was happy to make her smile.

"Anythin' to see you smile, Vi," He murmured, holding her close.

That night, as the pair decided to stay and comfort Kathleen, Violet ended up staying over with the Antrims as it was pouring rain by the time she noticed it was dark out.

Billy let her cuddle with him in his bed, and they talked each other to sleep–talking about ideas on how to make Henry go 'missing' and comforting Billy about the loss of Joe. Late in the night, Billy woke up to the sounds of hustlin' and bustlin' in the kitchen area. He quietly got up, making sure not to wake Violet, grabbed his gun, and crept his way to the kitchen, aiming it at his step-father once he got a clear view of him.

Henry stopped moving, slowly looking towards his step-son.

"So you caught me. This is my money," He began, having only opened the small box that held what little savings Kathleen had.

"You haven't earned any of it. Not a fuckin' penny," Billy began, moving forward, keeping the gun aimed at Henry's head and being glad he towered over the man he hated. "You chase a dream. You pay for whores. You cheat on my mother and now you fucking steal from her!"

The more Billy spoke, the more he felt his anger rise. He didn't raise his voice. No, he couldn't do that. Not while his mother and best friend were asleep. They needed their rest. It had been an eventful day for both of them.

He continued to force Henry to back up eventually out of the house and into the cold rain. Billy didn't care about the cold. He had enough of Henry's bullshit.

"Not to mention what you did to Violet; she was fuckin' sixteen!! Sixteen!! How could even think of doing such a thing to her!?" He yelled, pressing the barrel of his gun to Henry's head. He could yell now, since they were outside; no one could hear him over the loud pouring rain.

Violet, however, woke up having to use the bathroom. She frowned, not seeing Billy in bed next to her.

'Maybe he's in the kitchen,' She thought to herself, yawning as she made her way to the bathroom, grateful that Billy's clothes covered her body mostly. As she made her way around the house to hopefully see Billy, just eating a midnight snack, she caught sight of him outside with Henry. She stood by the table, seeing the box of the family's savings. Sighing tiredly, she made her way upstairs again to grab a towel to dry him off when he came back inside.

"You could've been a good man like my father. All you had to do was try," Billy continued, cutting off Henry from his pathetic rambling and pleading.

Then he remembered Violet's words from earlier.

"Don't waste your bullets on him. He deserves to suffer."

And suffer he will. He lowered his gun and went back inside, shutting the door in Henry's face.

When he turned around, he came face to face with his mom and Violet. He assumed they heard him as Violet came over to him and wrapped his blanket around him, considering it was the only was big enough that could actually have any chance of drying him a little bit, as Kathleen lit another oil lamp to warm him up.

Violet, knowing this was a family matter, hugged Billy tightly once he sat down next to his ma and went upstairs.

She laid in bed for a while, staring at the ceiling as she waited for his return.

Once he came back to the room, with his hair still damp. Once he put his pistol away in his gunbelt, he laid next to Violet in silence. She pulled him into a tight hug once he got comfortable, holding him somehow tighter than before.

"Thank you," She whispered, knowing he drove away Henry for good.

"Of course, Violet," He whispered back, holding her close and burying his face in her shoulder. Vi buried her face into his neck, taking in his calming scent. He smelled like a wet dog, but amongst that scent, he also smelled like grass, mud, with hints of whiskey.

"I'm never leaving your side," She stated softly, earning a gentle chuckle from him.

"You're an idiot."

"Nah, you are."

"How am I an idiot?"

"Who went out in the rain in their pajamas 10 minutes ago?" She teased, giggling as he laughed softly, accepting defeat.

"Alright, you got me there," He admitted before closing his eyes to try an asleep.

"Yes, I do," She murmured, yawning before curling up into his side.

Days later, Kathleen dropped as well from the same illness that took Joe. The moment Violet had heard the news from Jesse, she had bolted barefoot to find him, determined to help Billy and Kathleen.

As the 18 year olds took care of Kathleen, she cherished every moment she had with them. She didn't want to go, yet she knew that God would reunite her with her husband and Joe. As she was being taken care of, she noticed how Violet and Billy talked and cooperated. They worked together without complaint and were just as stubborn as the other. Kathleen didn't want to leave Billy alone, but as time went on, she realized that he wouldn't be alone. He'd have Violet with him, and Kathleen was okay with that.

The day after she was buried, Violet laid her head on Billy's shoulder as his now former home was cleared out. The town had taken the house as Billy didn't have enough to pay for it.

Violet sighed, rubbing Billy's arm as he watched the home get cleared out.

"You can come stay with Jesse and I until you get back on your feet," She suggested, peering up at him.

"I don't wanna be a burden," Billy denied, shaking his head.

"Billy-"

"You could always rob someplace," a familiar voice said, pulling their attention from the now empty house to Jesse.

"Jesse, no, he needs money not to be arrested-," Violet began, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms facing her brother completely.

"I mean, it could work," Billy interjected, looking down at Violet.

"Where would you even try?" Violeg protested, looking up at him.

"That place," Jesse suggested, nodding curtly towards the Chinese laundry place across the road.

"No, you'll both get caught for sure," She told him.

"Doesn't hurt to try," Billy said, nodding to Jesse.

"You can't be serious, Billy!"

"Alright, meet back here around midnight."

"Fuck you, Jesse," Violet grumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes in disappointment.

The next night, Violet had gathered Billy's things, as well as her own, onto 2 horses. She knew this would happen. Stupid Jesse and his dumb fucking plan. Violet knew this would happen, but did the boys listen? No, of course not. Why would they?

She peered around the corner of the clothing shop, seeing Billy running from the jail, and she whistled at him, causing him to stop running.

"Violet?" He questioned in a whisper shout as he came closer to her.

"Of course, you fucking idiot, now get on your horse and let's go," She playfully said, grinning and jamming his hat on his head.

"How- wait, why are you leaving?" He asked, not wasting time and getting on his horse as Violet got onto hers.

"Whose gonna keep your ass outta trouble?" She retaliated, grinning evilly.

"Rude," He repreplied, chuckling as the two snapped the reins and their horses were off.

'Goodbye to this hellish town and the people in,' Violet thought, smiling as she no longer would have to be forced into trying to date some of the other guys in town. 'Freedom at last.'

62 notes · View notes