literatecowboy

[literatecowboy]

Ghost, Gaz, Price: ??????

[literatecowboy]

Young Nik and Price AU, sketches

[literatecowboy]

Lost a bet. Had to draw my friend's pookies <3 (plain sketch undercut)

Meow.

[literatecowboy]

he just needs them to get together or something

based on <3

[literatecowboy]

I wanted to ask about Roach’s antenna.

I know it’s part of your artwork for him as a chaotic buggy boi but is are there any headcanons you’d add to it?

My personal take is that they partly act as a tracking device because he gets into weird places and he might be hard to find sometimes. Another feature I like to think about is that he likes to bob his head up and down so they tap on everyone’s heads (like how ants tap each other with antenna to communicate or check identity) as an excuse to “confirm non-imposter status”

At first I thought they could be like some radio antenna but now idk

Emergency fruit loop storage 😆

What if he just duct tapes random shit to his helmet and everyone’s trying really hard not to comment on it (he wants them to)

I think he’d like ants

[literatecowboy]

I was doing small sketches and someone asked for a 141 pillow fight

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024

5. Bondage

warnings: Soap x Ghost x Reader (throuple); face sitting; nickname 'pup'; fem reader; its reader's present;

“A wee bit tighter…there ye go, LT. That’s perfect,” Soap said, double checking the knot and giving it a tug to ensure it would hold. 

“Sure you don’t want me to put a bow on your head? Think it’d look cute on you, Johnny,” Ghost said, picking up one of the other ropes from the pile. Johnny offered his wrists, and Ghost took them, tying them carefully behind the Scot’s back. 

“Nah, don’t want to wait on her to unwrap me. Besides, there’s bows on all her other gifts,” Johnny said. Ghost snorted. 

“Impatient pup,” he murmured, taking one of the ropes that crisscrossed Johnny’s chest into his fist and pulling the Scot close, pressing his lips to his. Johnny groaned into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut. He rolled his shoulders, and Ghost pulled away slowly. 

“Comfy?” Ghost asked, running his hands down Johnny’s sides. 

“Very. Help me get into position and then go get our girl, Simon,” Johnny said, rising awkwardly from where he sat. Ghost helped him arrange himself on his knees on the bed before stepping away. 

—

“Just a few more steps, love. Keep coming,” Ghost murmured, guiding you by your hands as he lead you into your bedroom.

“Okay, one more guess. Is it a puppy?” you asked, a smile on your lips. 

“In a manner of speaking,” Ghost said, shutting the door behind you. “Go on, take the blindfold off.” 

You gasped as you lifted your blindfold off and it fluttered to the floor. Johnny knelt before you on the bed, smiling, his cheeks tinged pink. 

“Happy birthday, bonnie,” he murmured. You felt heat rush to your face, and you giggled. 

“You’ve always wanted our pup tied up and begging for you. Now’s your chance,” Ghost murmured, embracing you from behind and gently sliding one of his hands up your shirt. 

“Oh, yes. And you’re okay?” you asked Johnny, shivering from excitement as warmth stirred in the pit of your stomach. 

“More than okay, bonnie. Come sit on my face,” Johnny whined, squirming on the bed. Ghost squeezed your breast tenderly. 

“Go on, give him a go,” he murmured into your ear, his hot breath making you shiver. He guided you onto the bed and you knelt before Johnny. Though you’d been with your boyfriends a dozen times before, this new arrangement was incredibly arousing. You leaned forward, running your hands over the ropes that crisscrossed Johnny’s body as you kissed him. 

His cock throbbed against his stomach at your touch and he groaned. Ghost ran his fingers through his hair before sliding his hand down his back and squeezing his ass. 

“Poor pup, all worked up,” he cooed, and you smiled, taking the head of Johnny’s cock between two fingers. 

“Such an eager toy for me,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to his cheek. You made short work of your clothes, your nipples hardening in the cool air and making Johnny whine, writhing where he knelt. 

“Pretty, isn’t she, pup?” Ghost cooed, stroking Johnny’s cock slowly as they watched you undress. 

“Please sit on my face,” he whined, doing his best to lay back despite the ropes binding him. You helped him get situated before crawling up over his body, dragging your fingers over your clit before lowering yourself onto Johnny’s face. 

His cock twitched as his moans were muffled and you gasped as he shoved his tongue into you, sending waves of pleasure through your body. Your back arched as he wrapped his lips around your clit, sucking gently and making you writhe with pleasure. 

“Johnny!” you moaned, grinding down against his face as he devoured you, pushing his face deeper into your wetness. 

“Think you deserve a reward for making our girl feel so good, Johnny,” Simon purred, tugging his shirt over his head and sliding his pants and boxers off. He crawled onto the bed, tugging his hard cock as he settled between Johnny’s legs, spreading lube over his fingers before sliding one into Johnny. 

Johnny’s back arched and he moaned into your wetness. The vibrations against your clit made you gasp, and you trembled as that in combination with Johnny’s devourment of you made you cum. Pleasure washed over you in waves and you jerked and trembled, slumping forward and crawling off of Johnny’s face as you caught your breath.

Ghost slid another finger into Johnny and kept pumping them in and out, making Johnny moan and writhe on the bed. 

“Fuck…!” he cried. He turned his head to where you lay, your wetness drenching his face. 

“Lass, please. Ride me while Simon fucks me,” he begged. You pulled him in for a sloppy kiss before straddling his hips, nodding. 

Ghost slowly pulled his fingers out of Johnny, making him whine, but his whines turned to moans again as Ghost guided you onto Johnny’s cock. You both moaned in tandem as you sank onto him, the stretch sending waves of pleasure through you. 

Ghost pressed slowly into Johnny after you reached the base of his cock, making the Scot writhe and moan beneath you. 

“Fuck, yer gonna be the death of me. Both of ye,” he gasped, trembling. You slowly rocked your hips against him, grabbing the ropes that bound his chest and using them to pull yourself down into a kiss. 

As you rode Johnny, Ghost fucked him, sending you both sliding up the bed. You slammed your hips down into him, grinding your clit into his pelvis. As you moaned, Ghost reached around you and gently thumbed your clit, biting tenderly into your neck. 

“Fuck! I can’t last like this,” Johnny whined, his body trembling under the pleasure of your bounces and Ghost’s thrusts. 

“Let the lady cum first, Johnny,” Ghost said, picking up speed as he rubbed your clit. 

“Go on, love, cum on Johnny’s cock,” he purred in your ear. You fell over the cliff of pleasure, falling forward onto Johnny’s chest, your body spasming and your cunt tightening around his cock as you came. Johnny came almost immediately after, coating your insides with cum as he bucked his hips up into you. 

With a few last, deep, thrusts Ghost came last, his groan deafening as he came inside Johnny, leaning over your shoulder to kiss the Scot tenderly. 

You caught your breath together. Ghost was the first to step away but he returned quickly with a blade, cutting Johnny free and helping him massage the areas that had been bound. 

You pulled Johnny into an embrace as Ghost spooned you, sandwiched comfortably between your boyfriends as you came down from your highs.

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024

4. Sensory Depravation

Warnings: Price x Reader; they're married and in love and it's adorable; wholesome sex; blindfold; headphones; talking through the kink beforehand

“Do you want me to put music on? In your headphones, I mean?” Price asked, fiddling with his phone and looking up at you from where he knelt on the bed. 

“Static might work. Nothing intense or loud, just like…a dull noise to drown out anything that might get in,” you said, putting your eye mask on and letting it rest on your forehead. You reached over to the nightstand and grabbed your glass of water, taking a sip.

“I wonder what it’d be like to have sex in a sensory deprivation tank. The only senses we can really do away with here are sight and sound,” he said with a chuckle, choosing an audio track and setting his phone aside as he adjusted the headphones. 

“I think we’d get kicked out,” you said with a laugh, putting the water back in its place. 

“So, you won’t be able to hear me, but if you want to stop, just tell me, love,” John said, crawling over to you and pressing a kiss to your forehead. 

“I’m excited to see what it’s like. Seems…thrilling. I don’t know what you’ll do next,” you said, cupping his cheek. 

“I get to wear the blindfold next time, love,” John said, winking at you as he gently put the headphones over your ears. He helped you maneuver them into a comfortable position, and as you raised your hands to pull your blindfold down, he mouthed the words ‘I love you.’

—

It was as thrilling as you thought it’d be. You couldn’t help but smile as John helped you recline, laying back on the bed as he pressed a kiss to your lips. He trailed kisses down your neck, pausing to kiss each of your breasts before continuing downward. You parted your legs expectantly, already wet from the excitement.

And then John pulled away. You were left confused for a moment before he pressed a kiss to your clit. A gasp was ripped from your mouth and your back arched as he flattened his tongue against your bud, and one of your hands flew to tangle in his hair. You accidentally glanced off of his ear and you could feel him laugh a little as he guided your hand to his scalp. 

He plunged his tongue inside of you and you writhed, moaning and raking your fingers through your hair as he pushed it in and out. When he came up and gently sucked your clit, you’re sure you screamed in pleasure, though you were unable to hear it. Without sight, without the ability to hear, everything was amplified. 

You came hard and quite unexpectedly, and as John came up and kissed you, you could feel your wetness in his facial hair. He settled between your legs as you gasped for air, palming your breast and grinding his hard cock against your entrance. The cool metal of his wedding ring brushed your nipple, and you shivered. 

“John, I need you,” you gasped, wrapping your legs around his hips, trying to pull him into you. He obliged you with a kiss, lining himself up before pushing in slowly, making you moan as you adjusted to your size. 

“Fuck,” you moaned, your body jolting as he reached down and thumbed your clit. Pleasure ripped through you and you pushed into his hips to meet his heavy thrusts. You could feel the vibration in his chest as he moaned, draping himself over you and pulling you into a tight embrace as he picked up the speed of his thrusts. 

Reaching up, you wrapped your arms around John’s neck, pulling him down and kissing him. You missed his lips and your kiss landed on his cheek. His chest vibrated as he growled, burying his face in your neck and biting down as the speed of his thrusts picked up. 

You raked your nails down his back, leaving scratches that spurred him on. He bit down harder on your neck, sucking roughly enough that you were sure he’d leave a mark. 

“Gonna cum!” you gasped, reaching down and frantically rubbing your clit as you neared your peak. John kissed you then, giving your hip a gentle squeeze. You came hard on his cock, your body jerking and seizing as pleasure coursed through you, overwhelming your senses. John’s hips stuttered and he thrusted deep into you, his forehead coming to rest on your chest as he spilled his cum into you. 

As you both panted, coming down from your highs, John gently reached up and took your headphones off, tossing them to the side. 

“Going to take your blindfold off, love,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to your cheek. You nodded and he helped you slide it off, untangling the back from your hair that had become messy. 

John hovered over you, smiling, his cheeks tinted pink. He leaned in and kissed you as he pulled out of you, and you cupped his cheek tenderly. 

“Was that as good as you hoped?” he asked, laying down beside you and pulling you into his chest, stroking your hair with gentle fingers. 

“It was lovely. You’re lovely,” you murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. 

“Good. Let me get you some water,” John said, pulling away and reaching for the nightstand. You whined, clinging tighter to him, and he stopped. 

“Not yet,” you murmured, nuzzling into his chest.

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024

3. Public Sex

Warnings: Johnny x Gaz (my beloved) ft. Price and Ghost; audience sex; orgasm control; poly!141 hints at ghoap,

“Bloody hell, they’re insatiable.”

“It’s a good idea, letting them tire each other out.”

Price and Ghost watched as Gaz squeezed Soap’s hips, pulling him into each, rough thrust. The two were in a tangled heap on a sparring mat, lips locked as they desperately pawed at each other. 

Soap broke away from the kiss, his head falling back and his mouth falling open. Gaz clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his moan, slowing his thrusts and leaning down to whisper into the Scot’s ear. 

“Quiet now, Johnny. Don’t want the rest of the gym to hear you moaning like a slut,” he growled, biting Johnny’s neck just below his ear and sucking. 

“You heard him, sargent. Keep it quiet,” Ghost barked, nodding toward Gaz, who took the direction and stuffed Soap’s boxers into his mouth before pulling out and roughly thrusting in again. 

“Ought to take him back to your quarters when Gaz is finished with him, let him get some noise out,” Price said. Ghost nodded slowly, not taking his eyes away from the sargents. 

A muffled groan pulled them from their conversation. Gaz had his fist wrapped around Soap’s cock and was pumping him slowly, perfectly in time with each of his thrusts. 

“Think Captain will let you cum for me, Johnny? I know you want to,” he purred, leaning over and licking a long stripe up Soap’s abs to his neck. 

“Please,” Johnny begged, his voice muffled through his gag. “Please let me cum, sir,” he pleaded, his head falling to the side as he stared at Price with glazed, pleasure-filled eyes. 

“What do you think, lieutenant? Think he deserves it?” Price asked, turning to Ghost. He pondered the question for a moment before nodding. 

“You can cum, Johnny. But let Gaz cum first,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. Gaz picked up the pace, his deep thrusts causing Johnny to side up on the mat. 

“Fuck, Johnny, you’re so tight,” he hissed, yanking the gag from Johnny’s mouth before dragging him into a long, deep kiss. His hips stuttered and he tensed, burying himself as deep as he could inside Johnny as he came, moaning into the kiss. 

Johnny came almost immediately after, cum shooting up and coating his abs. He wrapped his legs around Gaz’s waist, desperate to keep him in for as long as possible. They lay together, panting and enjoying each other’s embrace.

---

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024

2. Voyeurism

Warnings: Gaz x Reader; voyeurism, masturbation, fem reader

The pit in Kyle’s stomach grew heavier day by day. The weight of the many sins he’d committed weighed heavy on his shoulders, he had not yet been crushed beneath him. This sin, though, was more burdensome to him than the world was to Atlas.

He palmed his stiff cock through his pants as he leaned against the window, binoculars raised. The apartment under surveillance was still and dark. The neighbor, on the other hand…

Since he’d first seen you step from the shower, cloaked by steam, he’d been enamored. Kyle watched as you dried yourself, watched as you lotioned your beautiful legs and bent tantalizingly over to pick up your dropped towel. 

He was in love, though he’d never met you. It was a love that bloomed as he watched for weeks as you cooked, bundled up under a blanket with a book, returned tired from work. He’d seen you cry and laugh and kiss your cat and put your groceries away, and his heart had hammered in his chest each time.

Kyle cursed as the soft light of your lamp illuminated your body in your bed. He watched as you slid your hands down your body, reaching between your legs. You were putting on a show for him tonight.

“Fuck,” he hissed, using his free hand to unzip his pants and work his cock free. He bit back a moan as he squeezed himself at the base, watching as you touched yourself. 

He thought about how good you would feel around his cock. How you’d moan and writhe beneath him as he fucked you the way you deserved. Kyle pumped his cock roughly, wishing only that the sounds of your sweet moans would carry across the road and drift into his window. 

Kyle watched as you squeezed your breast, your back arching as your fingers worked faster at your clit. His eyelids drooped, heavy with lust as he worked his fist faster up and down his cock. 

You would take it so well. You’d beg him for more, beg him to make you cum over and over again. On your bed, you twitched once, twice. Kyle picked up the pace. 

“Come on, love,” he murmured into the empty air. “Cum for me.” 

You did so on command, as if you’d heard from so far away. Your body jerked and trembled as you came, pleasure crashing over you like a wave, a warm feeling spreading over you.

“Fuck,” Kyle swore, his own orgasm hitting him quickly. He came into his hand, panting and unable to drag his eyes away from you. Beautiful you, laying in the warm light, basking in the glow of your orgasm. Beautiful you, unaware of Kyle watching you. Unaware that he was more determined than ever to pay you a visit.

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024 Masterlist

Handjobs (Soap x Reader)

Voyeurism (Gaz x Reader)

Public Sex (Soap x Gax ft. Price and Ghost)

Sensory Depravation (Price x Reader)

Bondage (Ghost x Reader x Soap)

[literatecowboy]

Kinktober 2024

1. Handjobs

Warnings: subby!Johnny x reader; sex club infiltration; handjobs; audience; allusions to human trafficking; drug mentions; nicknames are pet; no y/n

When you’d signed onto the 141, you hadn’t been expecting an easy job. You’d expected uncomfortable, tense situations. Blood. To take lives to protect the innocent and defend the world from an insurmountable number of threats. 

You’d never expected a sex club, though. 

Johnny whined from where he knelt on the floor and pawed at your leg, squirming. Music pumped all around you, doing little to drown out the noises of pleasure all around. 

“Down, boy,” you chided, loud enough to make your target chuckle. She leaned forward, taking Johnny’s chin between her fingers before trailing them down and yanking his collar. 

“Your pet is awfully needy,” she cooed through a thick Russian accent. “And awfully handsome.” You scoffed. 

“He has his uses. One of my favorites, I’ll admit,” you said, leaning back against the leather sofa and allowing the target to admire Johnny. 

“Our deal is not yet finalized. What is his price?” she asked, tracing her fingers down his chest and toward where his cock bulged in his boxers. 

“He is worth more to me than all of the cocaine I manufacture,” you purred, running your fingers through Johnny’s hair. You leaned forward and tugged his boxers down, his cock springing free. 

“Everyone has a price,” the Russian cooed, running her finger down his shaft and collecting a drop of precum, which she licked off. 

“Please, ma’am,” Johnny whined, squirming on the floor and burying his face in your thigh. 

“What do you think, pet?” you asked, tugging his leash harshly. He stumbled as he crawled onto the couch and into your lap. You spat into your palm before wrapping your hand around his cock, giving a rough tug that made Johnny cry out. He bucked his hips into your hand as he fell into your lap, gazing up at you with lust in his eyes. 

“Show her what you’re worth,” you cooed, running your fingers through your hair as you continued to work your fist up and down his cock. You thumbed the tip and Johnny cried out, his back arching in pleasure. 

“I suppose I could throw him in with the rest of the shipment I have for you,” you purred as you kept working Johnny, staring the target down. She watched, entranced, as Johnny writhed and moaned, his hips stuttering as he bucked his hips into your hand. 

“A most expensive gift. I hope you will remember it and consider me your primary supplier for the rest of our relationship,” you said. You squeezed the base of Johnny’s cock, dragging a strangled cry from him. 

“Ma’am, please let me cum!” he begged, his hips tensing as he tried to delay his orgasm. 

“Go on, pup. Show the woman what you’re worth,” you purred. With a strangled cry, Johnny shot ropes of cum across your hand. As he came down from his high, panting, you shoved your stained fingers into his mouth and he licked eagerly. The Russian woman met your eyes. 

“We have a deal,” she said. 

—

At your request, Price destroyed the security tapes from the infiltration of the sex club immediately upon the completion of the mission, though that did nothing to extinguish the flames of the romance that sparked between you and Johnny afterwards

[literatecowboy]

I headcanon Ghost and Gaz as the biggest phone addicts in the 141

Quietly sitting across from each other and sending each other reels and tiktoks and YouTube shorts with headphones in

Gaz is rather popular on social media for his good looks among men and women alike. He’s the only one of the 141 who would make tiktoks, though Soap would occasionally star in them with him

Ghost is completely anonymous on the internet and loves goofy animal videos. Soap would have to wear an eye mask to sleep because the light from Ghost’s phone would keep him up at night

[literatecowboy]

The Rattlesnake County War

Following a botched cattle rustling job, a lone surviving outlaw finds herself thrust into a conflict between ranchers bigger than any she'd been embroiled in before. A Sheriff!Price x Outlaw!Reader fic; MDNI please; reader is AFAB and she/her pronouns are used but should otherwise be ambiguous (if I can be more inclusive/there is somewhere where I can improve on making her more "friendly" to readers let me know pls!) Warnings: hanging, angst, death, stabbings, references to guns and shootings, execution, etc. Smut. I intend to write 2 versions of this fic - more information can be found in the masterlist.

5. Twenty-Five

The only noise on the ride back to town was the baying and stomping of steers. 

Price fumed at the head of the pack and the others gave him a wide berth as they herded the cattle back to Mr. Marshall’s ranch. Once the gate was closed and all of the livestock were accounted for, Price waved off his companions and clomped up to the porch to join Mr. Marshall. He was greeted not by the rancher, but by the man in pastor’s vestments that he had seen before. 

“Hello, Sheriff,” the preacher said, nodding stiffly and offering a smile. “Mr. Marshall has retired for the night, I’m afraid.”

“Thank you, sir. I suppose I’ll have to return in the morning,” Sheriff Price said. His anger had waned and he was exhausted, the weariness evident in his voice. 

“Might I trouble you for a talk?” the preacher asked.

“Of course, sir. What troubles you?” Price asked. The preacher smiled wanly. 

“I am more interested in what ails you, Sheriff. I cannot help but notice that your pretty companion was not with your men when you arrived,” he said. Price stiffened. 

“We have parted ways. Her services are no longer needed,” he said. The priest tutted. 

“A good choice, sheriff. Some sinners are…beyond saving. Undeserving of god’s love,” he echoed. Price’s head snapped up. 

“Surely a man of God would not say such things?” he asked. The pastor’s smile vanished.

“It does not take a man of god to know the true nature of the human race. The true question is this: why would the lord send such a sinner to you? Why would he embroil you in such troubles? A man as knowledgeable and honorable as you surely has no love for a god that allows his children to suffer without intervention?” the preacher asked. Price rose. 

“I am wary of what you speak. My faith in God is unshaken. Goodnight, sir.”

The preacher watched him go until he disappeared into the distance. A rattlesnake slithered out of the bush he stood before and coiled around his boot before slithering up his side and curling around his torso. 

“In due time,” said the preacher.

—

Price was surprised to find Simon, Johnny, and Kyle waiting for him when he got back to the office. Before he even made it through the door, Kyle had risen and strode toward him. 

“Joanna is devastated. Had to break the news to her, so thanks for that,” he said, folding his arms over his chest. 

“That was a bad move, mate,” Johnny piped up, slinging back the last of his whiskey before pouring himself another. Price scowled and yanked the bottle away from him, plopping down in a chair before drinking directly from it. 

“She’s too dangerous. Almost got herself killed. It’s just better if…if…” he trailed off with a sigh, taking another swig of the whiskey. It was quiet for a moment. 

“You’re a fool,” Simon said from the corner of the room. “Saved your life twice, and you push her away because you’re scared she’ll get hurt. She’s out there right now, chasing down Gimley on her own. Still chasing danger, still might get hurt. And you’re on your ass here.”

“Fuck,” Price choked, tossing the whiskey bottle away. He looked out the window at the moon, mulling it over. 

“Go get your girl, John.”

—

You hadn’t bothered to make camp that night. 

Following Gimley was easy enough. He hadn’t gotten that much of a head start and you were hot on his heels. At some point he’d passed through a town and you were fortunate enough to find he was wanted there with a bounty worth $25. You snagged the poster, intending to turn his body in for a tidy profit once you put him down. 

It was noon when you found his camp. You rode up on him without caring for stealth, so he watched as you approached. 

“You’re worth twenty-five, Gimley. Dead or alive. Normally, I offer bounties a chance to choose, but on account of the fact that you shot me, well…” you trailed off as you dismounted, hitching Whiskey before approaching Gimley slowly. He rose as you came near and you circled each other warily, hands over your holsters. 

“Don’t have to be this way, miss. You could come work for me. Could work for those who could pay you a lot more than twenty-five per man,” he said, his duster fluttering in the wind. In a heartbeat you drew and put two bullets into his chest. He staggered backwards, gurgling, before falling to the ground, dead. 

“They couldn’t afford me,” you scoffed. 

—

After dumping Gimley’s body in the Sheriff’s office back in town, you collected your pay and stepped onto the plank walkway to drink your sorrows away. You scarcely believed it was possible, but this place was even seedier than Rattlesnake Point. It was so seedy, in fact, that you were startled to see a man in a pastor’s vestments coming toward you down the plank walkway. 

“What was the price of that man’s life?” he called. You lit up a cigarette. 

“Twenty-five. But I don’t have a habit of wasting money tithing to churches,” you said, taking a drag and turning to walk away. 

“And what is the price of your life?” he asked. You paused. 

“I’m a pardoned woman, if that’s what you’re asking. You won’t get a dime from hauling me in,” you said with a chuckle. 

“In the eyes of god, there are no pardons. Your soul is worth its weight in gold to Hell,” the pastor said, a thin smile crossing his lips. 

“Don’t really know about all that, mister,” you said, the disinterest evident in your voice. 

“God punishes sinners. He will punish you. Do you believe that to be fair, Wildcat? Why should such a god be worshiped as he is? Should people not turn their backs to such a god?” the preacher asked. 

“Leave me be, you old coot,” you said, waving him off as you mounted Whiskey and took off, deciding not to drink after all. This place gave you the creeps. 

—

Price followed your tracks for as long as he could, but lost the trail when he entered the town. It didn’t take long for him to learn of the death of Gimley, and he learned from the sheriff the direction that you had gone following your collection of the reward. 

Once outside of the town again, he was able to pick up on hoofprints once more. Hoping they were Whiskey’s, he followed them down the Colorado for a time before ending up in a lightly wooded canyon carved out by the river. A fire flickered across the canyon walls, smoke drifting up to the stars. He dismounted, not wanting to startle the camper if it wasn’t you, and called out. 

“Wildcat, is that you?” he asked. You were startled from where you were dozing by the fire and sat up, reaching for your gun. 

“It’s John,” he called. Your body relaxed but your chest tightened at the thought of him being around you once more. 

“What are you doing here?” you called, standing slowly and padding to the edge of your camp. John approached from the darkness, having hitched his horse beside Whiskey. 

“I couldn’t leave you, not after those things I said. I was wrong, Wildcat. I’m sorry,” he murmured. 

“Come, sit down. It’s late,” you said with a sigh. John joined you beside the fire and you sat in silence for a minute. He reached up and gently caressed the wound on your cheek. 

“You took a bullet for me,” he murmured. You laughed. 

“Not really. It’s just a graze,” you said. 

“You saved me life. You’ve killed for me. You’ve been nothing but loyal and helpful. I’m sorry, I really am,” he said, leaning forward. 

“John,” you breathed. “Shut up.” 

You closed the distance, leaning forward and pressing your lips against his. He seemed surprised at first but kissed back, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his lap. You shifted to straddle him, deepening the kiss, and could feel the hard bulge in his pants pressing up against your clothed entrance. As you started to grind down against him, John pulled away and took your hands, leaning back to look at you. 

“Do you want this?” he breathed, squeezing your hands as he gazed into your eyes. 

“More than anything. Ever since we sat in the shade in the barn together,” you murmured, leaning in to kiss him again. He kissed you back and stood up with you in his arms, making you gasp and giggle as he carried you back to the tent. 

He laid you down on your bedroll and you tugged off your shirt, grateful that you were already undressed for bed, and tossed it to the side. John did the same before crawling on top of you and kissing you, slotting his hips in between your legs and grinding down against your core. You wrapped your legs around his hips and he growled into the kiss. 

His fingers fumbled at the hooks of your bra before undoing it and pulling it away, your nipples hardening as they met the cool, desert night air. John leaned down and pressed a kiss to one before wrapping his lips around the other, making your head fall back as you gasped from the stimulation. 

You fumbled at John’s waist, managing to pull his belt off and unbutton his pants. You whined, unable to get the zipper down and he took the hint, yanking his pants and boots off before tossing them to the side. 

You kicked off your pants and wiggled out of your panties, laying before him. He looked up at you, his eyes hazy as they searched over your body and took you in. 

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he murmured, sucking in a deep breath as you playfully parted your legs. 

“Come here and do more than just look at me, John,” you said with a smile, heat rising to your face. He was on you in an instant, kissing you almost ferociously on the lips before trailing kisses down your body.

He wrapped his powerful arms around your thighs, pulling you closer to him and spreading your legs as he kissed down to your core, leaving one lass gentle kiss on your clit before licking a long stripe up your entrance, savoring your wetness. 

You moaned, your head falling back as he lapped up your wetness, circling your clit with his tongue before gently sucking on it. His eyes were closed and his blush reached from his cheeks to the tips of his ears, making you smile as you ran your fingers through his hair. 

He was distracted, though. One of his arms had left your leg. You bit your lip, heat rushing through you as you realized he was palming himself through his underwear. 

You pulled away from him and as he looked up in surprise you took the opportunity to push him down and pin him on his back, kissing his cheek gently. 

“Poor thing, you must be so hard. Let me help,” you purred. You threw one of your legs over him and wiggled back until you were comfortable, slowly lowering yourself onto his face. To your surprise he grabbed you by the waist and yanked you down, pushing his tongue into you and making you moan. 

You reached forward, rolling down his underwear slowly until his cock sprang free. You licked your palm and took hold of it. It throbbed in your hand, thick and heavy and you pumped it gently, making John moan, which sent vibrations through your lower body. 

You leaned forward and took the head into your mouth, moaning around John’s cock as he pulled his tongue from your pussy and lapped at your clit. 

“You taste so good,” John grunted, giving your hips a squeeze before slipping a finger into your entrance. You groaned, pausing from bobbing your head up and down on his cock. 

“Give me more!” you gasped. John bit your thigh with a growl and hefted you off of him, tossing you back into the bedroll and climbing on top of you. You parted your legs eagerly for him, wrapping them around his waist. 

“Impatient little thing,” he murmured huskily, sliding his hands up and down your body, squeezing your curves and teasing your clit. 

“Brat,” you whispered, capturing his lips in another kiss. He notched the head of his cock at your entrance and pushed in slowly. You dug your nails into his back, groaning into the kiss. The stretch of him was delicious, and you bucked your hips up to meet his. 

“Give it to me or I’ll take it,” you growled into his ear, biting at his neck. John growled, burying his face in your neck as he set a slow, deep pace. You raked your nails down his back, hissing in pleasure as he reached down to rub your clit in time with his deep thrusts. 

“Insatiable, impatient… you’re feral,” he murmured, his hips snapping forward, each punctuated with breathy grunts and moans. “Feel so fuckin’ perfect, love.”

Blinded by pleasure, you were unable to respond. John kissed your open mouth, swallowing your moans of pleasure and savoring each one. He kept rubbing your clit as your pleasure built until you were sent over the edge of orgasm, twitching and writhing beneath John. He slowed his thrusts after you came, gently petting your hair and kissing your sweaty forehead. 

“Okay, love?” he asked, peppering kisses to the side of your neck.

“Perfect,” you breathed. “Don’t stop on my account.”

John picked up the pace once again, but you were still unsatisfied. You pushed him up and off of you and climbed on top of him, straddling him and shoving his cock back inside of you. Steadying yourself with your hands on his chest, you rode him at a fast pace, using gravity to achieve deliciously deep thrusts that made you moan with each buck of your hips. 

“Wildcat,” John hissed, thrusting up to meet you halfway. “I’m close.” You didn’t slow your pace, panting and moaning as your second orgasm built. You and John came at the same time, hips stuttering and bodies seizing.

You collapsed onto his chest as you came down from your high, feeling warm spend drip from between your legs as he gently pulled out of you. You laid together on the bedroll, catching your breath as John held you close to him. You were almost asleep when he spoke. 

“I hope that - I hope I mean something to you, Wildcat. You mean a hell of a lot to me,” John said, stroking your hair tenderly as he pulled the thin blanket over you both. 

“Most meaningful man in my life. Don’t plan on being chased off ever again,” you murmured, tracing the scars on his chest. 

“Good,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to your forehead as you slowly fell asleep.

---

[literatecowboy]

The Rattlesnake County War

Following a botched cattle rustling job, a lone surviving outlaw finds herself thrust into a conflict between ranchers bigger than any she'd been embroiled in before. A Sheriff!Price x Outlaw!Reader fic; MDNI please; reader is AFAB and she/her pronouns are used but should otherwise be ambiguous (if I can be more inclusive/there is somewhere where I can improve on making her more "friendly" to readers let me know pls!) Warnings: hanging, angst, death, stabbings, references to guns and shootings, execution, etc. Eventual smut. I intend to write 2 versions of this fic - more information can be found in the masterlist.

4. Deal's Off

You were eating breakfast with Price and Gaz at the kitchen table when the call came. Hooves thundered up the road. The door flung open and a messenger stumbled in, falling to her knees and gasping for breath as you raced to her side. 

“Up at Mr. Marshall’s ranch,” she gasped. “There are men there. Deputized, they said. They’re seizing all of the horses and the entire herd of cattle,” she panted. 

“Take a breath, Joanna. Gaz, get her some water!” Price called. Gaz dashed to the kitchen and came back with his canteen a moment later. The messenger took a long swig, pulling back to keep catching her breath. 

“Deputies seizing his livestock? What kind of deputies?” you asked, kneeling down beside the girl. She shook her head frantically. 

“Not - not deputies. Deputized men,” she said. She took another swig from the bottle. “Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Cavendish’s cattlemen made lawmen.”

—

Moments later you were up on your horse, thundering down the road toward Mr. Marshall’s ranch. Price rode on your left and Gaz beside him. Mr. Riley and the messenger, a young woman called Joanna Sun, had been left to man the sheriff’s office. 

Mr. Marshall’s ranch was reached more rapidly than Mr. Sutherland’s. His fields were empty. Gates were left wide open, fresh hoofprints leaving divots in the mud leading away from the property. 

“Sheriff!” Mr. Marshall called, stepping out of his house and striding forward to meet you. A man in pastor’s vestments left the house behind him but hung back on the porch, a wide brimmed hat shading his face. 

“I’m told men came and took your stock. Where did they go? Did they produce a warrant?” Sheriff Price barked. Mr. Marshall shoved a stack of papers into Price’s hands. He flipped through them, his scowl growing. You watched intently. Whiskey pawed at the ground and snorted, tossing her head. 

“It’s a warrant. Says here it’s signed by a Justice of the Peace, Mr. Dolan,” Sheriff Price said. 

“That low-down son of a bitch,” Mr. Marshall growled. “Dolan is a cousin of Mr. Cavendish. This warrant accuses my cattle of being stolen property - and they’ve been stolen alright!” he exclaimed. 

“If he deputized men to serve this warrant and gone above your head, he’s handed power to the Old Kingdom. They need to be stopped,” Gaz said, shaking his head. 

“Mr. Garrick is correct. Stay here, Mr. Marshall. We’ll return the cattle to you,” Sheriff Price said, handing the warrant papers back to Mr. Marshall. “But we’re going to need some assistance.”

—

“We’re wasting time going back to town. We should have followed the tracks from the start,” you shouted, looking back to glance at Mr. Marshall’s ranch as you galloped down the road back to town. 

“Won’t do any good just the three of us. We need backup. This operation is going to take a few days,” Price called back to you. You turned to glance at Gaz and he nodded. 

“It’ll be quick and we’ll be back on our way. Don’t worry,” he called. 

Once you made it back to town, Gaz rode on to collect Johnny as you and Price stopped outside of the sheriff’s office. 

“Need you to ride with us, Simon,” Price said as he pushed open the door. 

“Always,” Simon said, getting to his feet in an instant.

“Can I come, Mr. Price?” Joanna Sun asked, rising from where she was sitting. It was then you noticed how young she was - she couldn’t have been older than thirteen. Price smiled at her.

“I’m sorry, but you need to stay here. You need to stay close to your mother, and I need someone here to keep an eye on the town. What do you say to holding down the fort until we get back?” he asked. 

“Deal,” she said with a smile. 

“Wildcat, keep an eye out for Mr. Garrick and Mr. Mactavish, please. Mr. Riley, would you join me in the kitchen to prep provisions?” he asked. As they headed into the kitchen and out of earshot, Joanna rounded on you. 

“You’re an outlaw, but you’re friends with Sheriff Price and Mr. Garrick,” she said, scurrying over to stand in front of you as you pulled out a chair and sat down. 

“Not sure if they’d call me a friend,” you said with a laugh, lighting up a cigarette and taking a drag. 

“But you have their ear. Would you talk to them for me? About me becoming a deputy?” she asked hopefully, clenching fistfulls of her apron as she gazed at you. 

“You’re a little young to be roughing it out in the wilds, chasing down people like me,” you said with a chuckle. Joanna rolled her eyes. 

“Not right now, obviously! But I don’t want to work doing laundry like my mom when I grow up. I want to be a deputy. Please, will you ask for me?” she begged. 

“You can ask yourself, can’t you?” you asked, leaning back in your chair and sizing her up. 

“I’m afraid they’ll say no,” she admitted with a shrug. You got to your feet, putting out your cigarette. 

“Can’t be too afraid to talk to folk when you’re a deputy, kid. Come on now, practice on me. Pretend I’m Price, ask me for a job,” you said, standing up to your full height and folding your arms across your chest. Joanna grinned, standing up straight and tilting her chin up. 

“Sir, I’d like to be your deputy. Will you hire me?” she asked, continuing to fiddle with her apron. You hummed, reaching out and pulling her hands free. 

“No fiddlin’ with this, now. Can’t show any sign you’re nervous. Men are like beasts - they’ll smell fear on you from a room away. You did a good job standin’ tall and askin’ - go again, but more confidence. Tell me what you’re gonna do, don’t ask,” you said, letting go of her hands. Joanna nodded, standing straight and letting her arms fall to her sides. 

“I’d make a fine deputy, Sheriff. You should hire me, I won’t disappoint,” she said. You grinned and clapped her on the shoulder. 

“Great job, kid. I know you can ride, but can you shoot?” you asked. 

“A bit. I mean, I have - once or twice,” she admitted. Her hands went to her apron but she pushed them down. 

“Practice. Practice all of your skills, and learn new ones. Lawmen need to be experienced, can’t shy away from fights when it comes to protecting folk. You’ve got a good shot. I’ll talk to Price for ya,” you said. 

“Oh, thank you!” Joanna shrieked, charging forward and wrapping you in a hug that took the wind out of you. You awkwardly hugged her back, chuckling. 

“Anytime, kid.”

—

Price watched you talk to Joanna from the doorway to the kitchen. His heart seemed to skip a beat, and there was a warm stirring in his stomach. A smile crossed his lips and remained as he turned back to helping Simon.

“You like her,” Simon said, buckling shut his saddlebag and slinging it over his shoulder. 

“Hard not to. She’s so…different than I expected her to be,” he admitted. 

“What do you mean?” Simon asked, leaning against the kitchen table. 

“She seems…kind, beneath that cold exterior. Loyal. Smart. Even a bit vulnerable. Guess I’m having a hard time reconciling those traits with someone I nearly hanged,” he said. Simon shrugged. 

“World’s strange like that,” he said. 

“Is it wrong of me to want to get to know her better? To want to kiss her in the shade when she’s taking a break from doing chores she wasn’t even asked to do?” Price asked, slumping down in a chair at the kitchen table and burying his head in his hands. 

“No sense in not trying,” said Simon. 

—

Gaz and Johnny arrived a little while later and all of you gathered in front of the Sheriff’s office before setting off. You were stood in the yard, helping Joanna shoot bottles off of the fence with a borrowed rifle as the men loaded the horses. Whiskey had seemed to warm to Gaz and let him pet her on the nose, but still only tolerated the rest of the men.

“Good shot, kid. You’re a natural!” you exclaimed, clapping her on the shoulder as she shot the last bottle off of the fence. She grinned and you helped her unload the rifle before Price called out to you. 

“Time to go! Joanna, bring your mom up here to the office while we’re gone. Keep an eye out on the town, too,” John called. Joanna hugged you goodbye before you stepped away and mounted your horse. 

—

The five of you rode side by side down the street and toward Mr. Marshall’s ranch at an medium pace. Once there, you picked up the cattle’s tracks and followed them northeast. 

“Ain’t never been in a posse before, only ever been hunted by them,” you remarked with a laugh. The sun had begun to set, and you were gaining ground on the herd. 

“Proud to have taken yer posse virginity, lass,” Soap called out, which made you snort and earned him eye rolls and groans from everyone else. 

“When this is over, do you plan on putting your criminal past behind you?” Gaz asked. You shrugged. 

“Probably. Might go back to bounty hunting, that was decently lucrative,” you said. 

“Bounty hunting. Now that’s dangerous,” Price said. “Did some in my younger years, before the war. Wouldn’t be opposed to doing it again.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how you fight whilst on your side. You’re a hell of a shot” you remarked. Price felt himself puff up with pride, but did his best to not show it. 

“Likewise, Wildcat. Hopefully it won’t come to that, though.”

—

You set up camp that night on top of a cliff that looked down upon the valley below. You could see far with your binoculars and had spotted the herd in the distance. The men driving them had set up camp for the night and you could easily spot their fire from your vantage. 

Price decided not to set a campfire and the others agreed - the light might have drawn too much attention to your position. 

Johnny and Ghost slunk off into a grove of trees to set up their bunks together and Gaz elected to sleep by the horses so that he might be as far away from them as possible. When you raised an eyebrow, he muttered something about “noises” which convinced you to sleep by the horses as well. Price, ever dutiful, spent an hour watching the cattlemen’s camp before coming to bunk with you and Gaz. 

—

Price roused you before dawn. You sat up and joined the others in quietly packing your things before mounting up and setting off down into the valley towards the herd. The deputized cowboys had only just begun to wake up and you could smell cooking bacon from a half mile away. 

The cowboys watched as you rode up on their camp, suspicion in their eyes. You watched as Price fixed his gaze upon one of them in particular. 

“You’re the one called Gimley, are you not?” he asked, stopping his horse and climbing down from the saddle. 

“I am. What is the reasoning behind this intrusion?” Gimley called back, approaching Price as he waved his companions back. A lawman’s badge glinted on his chest and 

“I believe the warrant you served to be unlawful, and I have come to cease its execution. These cattle must be returned to Mr. Marshall, from whom they were taken,” Price said. Gimley chuckled. 

“You misunderstand, sir. I am deputized, I act under the orders of Justice of the Peace Dolan and only mean to serve the law,” he said. You stepped down from your horse and walked to Price’s side, hands on your hips

“I understand, but on account of the fact that I have served the law far longer than you, I must protest. I must also place you under arrest, as a warrant for the attempted murder of Mr. Marshall has been issued for you,” Price said. 

In an instant Gimley drew, the barrel of his gun aimed at Price’s nose. At the same time you drew your gun on Gimley, causing his men to aim at you, Gaz, Johnny, and Simon, which provoked them to aim back. Price raised his hands. 

“There is no need for blood to be shed here,” he cautioned. “Give yourself up and allow the cattle to be returned to their rightful owner. The law can still be upheld. It is the Christian thing to do,” he said. 

“You are no longer the law, Sheriff.”

Time seemed to slow as Gimley’s finger tightened around the trigger. You turned to your side and leapt for Price as the hammer fell, sparking powder and sending a bullet screaming out of the barrel of the six shooter. It grazed your cheek as you tackled him to the ground, his life saved. 

The shooting well and truly kicked off then. You dove for cover behind a boulder before kneeling up and returning fire. Price picked himself up from the ground and charged Gimley as bullets whizzed around him, but he was too slow.

Gimley leapt onto the back of his horse and took off, tearing into the desert amidst the chaos, leaving his three companions behind.

Gaz, Johnny, and Simon gunned them down swiftly, but before they could go after Gimley, the cattle began to stampede, terrified by the noise. 

“Let him go, just round up the herd!” you called as you holstered your gun, running over to Price as he knelt in the dirt. 

“You alright?” you called, picking up his hat that had fallen when you tackled him and offering it to him. He took it and put it on as he rose, taking your face in his large, calloused hands. You blinked in surprise and winced as he traced the wound on your cheek, blood coming away on his thumb. 

“You were shot,” he said, his expression unreadable as he gazed at you. 

“Good observation,” you said, taking his wrist and gently guiding his hand away from your cheek. He flushed, stepping back. 

“That was fucking stupid,” he barked, turning away and wiping the blood on his pants. You scoffed. 

“I saved your life,” you growled, folding your arms over your chest. 

“And it almost got you killed!” Price exclaimed. 

“Says the guy who tried to hang me a week ago!” you cried out, throwing up your hands. 

“This was a stupid fucking idea. You’re dangerous. I never should have let Marshall provoke the Old Kingdom. Never should have made a deal with an outlaw,” he spat. The herd had been calmed by now. You saw Kyle, Johnny, and Simon watching you from a distance. 

“Well, you fucking did. Can’t exactly take it back now, can you?” you scoffed. 

“You know what? Deal’s off, Wildcat. Get your shit and get out of here,” Price growled. You physically recoiled, your chest tightening. You could feel tears brimming at the corners of your eyes. 

You didn’t say a thing as you mounted Whiskey and took off into the desert in the direction Gimley had gone. The wound on your cheek stung, a fresh reminder that you had unfinished business to attend to.

[literatecowboy]

Gasolina y Adrenalina Masterlist

The 141 break into your house. Whoops! A Gaz x F!Reader fic Warnings: violence, guns, human traffickers, eventual smut, home invasion, fast as fuck cars, dead parents, angst, misunderstanding to lovers

A Little Less Boy Next Door, A Little More Home Invader

[literatecowboy]

Gasolina y Adrenalina

The 141 break into your house. Whoops! A Gaz x F!Reader fic Warnings: violence, guns, human traffickers, eventual smut, home invasion, fast as fuck cars, dead parents, angst, misunderstanding to lovers

1. A Little Less Boy Next Door, A Little More Home Invader

“...okay, I have an address for you.” Laswell’s voice crackled through Price’s comms. He sat forward in the driver’s seat of the stolen sedan, making Ghost glance at him from the passenger’s seat. 

“Direct me,” he said, one hand leaving the wheel as he passed Ghost the small, handheld GPS. As Laswell recited coordinates, Gaz sat forward in the backseat. 

“What should we expect to walk into?” he asked, concern in his voice as he glanced over at Soap, who was bleeding and half-conscious in the seat beside him. 

“Old mentor of mine from the CIA. He’s been retired for a while but is always willing to lend a hand. I tried calling ahead, but there was no answer. I have on good authority there’s a key hidden at the base of the birdbath in the front yard.” Laswell said. 

“Captain Walker? I haven’t seen him since he walked without a cane and his daughter was little. It’ll be nice to see him again, despite the circumstances.” Price said.

The GPS settled on a route, and Price pushed down harder on the gas pedal as they hurdled across the night. 

—

You couldn’t sleep. 

As shuffled through the living room on your way back from the kitchen to get a glass of water, a glint of light caught your eye. Your heart broke all over again as you reached on top of the fireplace and gathered the simple urn containing your father’s ashes in trembling hands. 

You’d picked him up earlier that day. At least now he’d be able to be beside your mother once more. 

You put his urn back into its place, scooting it closer to your mother’s. Being alone in the world was suffocating. A car wreck had snuffed him from existence just two weeks ago and you could still hardly stomach your new reality. 

In less than a month your life had collapsed. Your fiancee was the first to leave, along with most of your former friends. You’d lost your job, your apartment. And after moving back in with your father, you’d lost him too. 

You padded back to your room, the great weight that you carried seeming to become even heavier. As you slipped into bed once more, you shut your eyes and tried to shut out the world. 

A noise pierced the darkness. Your eyes cracked open as two car doors slammed outside. The sound of male voices, indistinct and far away, drifted through your open window. 

You sat up and swung your legs over the bed, foregoing your slippers this time. If the cops found your dead body stuffed into your dad’s old novelty fish slippers, you’d be embarrassed. Crossing the room in an instant, you flung open your closet. 

You had a shotgun loaded and were halfway down the stairs in the blink of an eye. Even though he was gone, you were still your father’s daughter. 

You tensed as the sound of a key slotting into a lock echoed from the front door. There was a twist, then a click, and the door swung open. Coyotes began to yap and yowl in the distance. They were chasing prey. 

Boots clomped across your threshold and your breath caught in your throat. This had never actually happened before. You made it to the bottom of the stairs, silent as a kangaroo rat, and took a deep, shaky breath. The boots kept clomping toward you. You rounded the corner and aimed the shotgun at the head of the boots’ owner. 

“One more step and I’ll-”

He grabbed the gun, forcing the muzzle up toward the ceiling and slammed you back into the wall, knocking your head into a picture frame and sending it to the ground where it shattered. You wailed in pain, the fight leaving your body as you tried to slide free from his grasp, letting go of your shotgun. Your assailant tossed it aside and pinned you to the wall by your wrists. 

“Who are you?” he yelled as you shied away from him, not daring to look him in the face. 

“Just take what you want and leave!” you wailed, tears falling from your eyes as you did your best to squirm away from him. 

“Where’s Captain Walker?” he shouted. 

“Dead!” you screamed, your vision blurring as your knees gave out. The man holding you to the wall let go of you and you collapsed to the ground, sobbing into your hands. 

“Gaz, what’s going on?” a voice echoed through your entryway. Another man joined the one who’d pinned you. You shied away as he knelt beside you. 

“Came at me with a shotgun. Says Captain Walker is dead. Don’t know what to make of her,” Gaz said, picking up the shotgun he’d tossed aside before clearing the chambers. 

“It’s alright, love. Not going to hurt you,” the other man said. He offered a hand but you didn’t take it, wiping the tears from your eyes to take them in. As the second man got a good look at your face, recognition flashed across his features. 

“I’ll be damned. You’re Walker’s daughter, aren’t you?” he asked. You nodded stiffly, your eyes snapping to the doorway as a large man came in, a second man in his arms. 

“I’m sorry to barge in on you like this. We were expecting your father. Has he…passed?” the man asked, drawing your attention back to him. You heard the door shut and lock in the entryway. 

“Two weeks ago,” you said, your voice breaking as tears rushed into your eyes again. “Who are you? What do you want with my dad? Why did you break into my house?” you asked, sniffling as indignation began to seep into your voice. 

“I’m an old friend of your father’s. He offered this place as a refuge should any of his friends ever need it. I have a man hurt and we need a place to lie low for a little while.” he said. You stood shakily, looking around your living room at the chaos. 

“The damage is…done. But I want proof. Who are you?” you asked. 

“John Price of the SAS. I can put you in contact with a former subordinate of your father’s to confirm everything. Do you know Kate Laswell?” Price asked as he stood with you. 

“Laswell. I…never called her,” you breathed. Price’s brow furrowed. “After he passed.” you explained. He nodded. 

“I’ll take care of that. Right now, rest. You’ve had an eventful night,” Price said, turning to Gaz. “Can you help get her settled?” he asked. You flinched as your gaze met Gaz’s. He nodded, and as Price stepped away to help tend to his wounded, he approached. 

“I’m sorry, love. You gave me quite the fright there,” he said with a small smile, offering his hand. You took it reluctantly. 

“You scared me too,” you said, unable to meet his eyes as he lead you into the kitchen. 

“I am sorry. Don’t quite know what to say, if I’m honest. I’ve never mucked up a first impression on a woman quite so badly,” he said, pulling a chair at the kitchen table out for you. The lights in the house had been turned on and you watched as he snagged a few bags of frozen peas from your freezer. 

“It’s not the worst first impression I’ve ever had of a man,” you offered after a minute to break the silence. 

“There’s a story there,” Gaz said as he settled the peas onto your bruising wrists. 

“My financ-- ex fiance and I met when he collapsed on my desk at work and threw up on my brand new shoes,” you said, unable to stop the giggle that slipped from your lips. Gaz laughed, returning to you with a glass of water. 

“Christ, that’s horrendous. Was he drunk?” he asked, pushing the glass into your hands. 

“Nope. I used to work at a pharmacy in a hospital. He came to pick up medication after being discharged, but apparently wasn’t ready to go yet,” you said, picking up the glass in a shaking hand. As soon as you’d downed it, you rose. 

“I’m going to get some rest,” you said, turning to go. 

“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” Gaz asked, surging forward to be at your side. You flinched, doing your best to keep the peas balanced on your wrists. 

“No. Thank you,” you said, offering a wry smile as you headed for the stairs. 

As soon as you were out of sight, Gaz sighed. There was a weak chuckle from the living room and he caught Soap’s eye. 

“Ye think she’s bonnie, don’t ye?” he teased weakly. Gaz felt blood rush to his face and his ears felt hot. 

“You’re on pain meds, mate. Noticing things that aren’t there,” he said. He fiddled with the shells he’d taken from your shotgun absentmindedly, sitting down on the couch that was the furthest away from Soap. 

“It’s true, though, she is bonnie. Almost as bonnie as you, LT,” Soap slurred, his hand coming to rest on Ghost’s thigh. Ghost merely stood, glaring down at the Scot before going to sit beside Gaz. 

“Tough crowd,” whined Soap.

—

You woke the next morning to light streaming in through your windows and knocking at your bedroom door. Sleep had hit you hard the night before and you sat up, rubbing your eyes and struggling to adjust to consciousness. Your wrists were sore and the thawed bags of peas had dropped to the ground. The knocking came again

You slid your feet into the fish slippers and padded to the door, opening it and gazing at your visitor. Gaz stood before you, a plate in his hands. 

“Did I wake you?” he asked, stepping back as he took in your sleepy form. You nodded. 

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. You took him in. He was still wearing the clothes he’d been in the night before, sans gear. He was covered in grime and dried sweat and smelled a little. 

“You didn’t shower?” you asked. Gaz paused, taken aback. 

“Suppose we didn’t think to,” he said. You stood in silence for a moment, awkwardness filling the hallway. 

“I made breakfast. I thought you might want some,” he said after a beat, seeming to remember why he’d woken you in the first place. He held out the plate as if in offering to a god - almost timidly, with great reverence. You smiled and took it, snagging a slice of apple from the edge. 

“Of course I want some. Who in their right mind turns down breakfast, even if it is from an intruder?” you asked. Gaz laughed a little and followed you as you left your room, headed for the kitchen table.

The rest of the men seemed to have already eaten, and you noticed that like Gaz, none of them had showered. You cringed internally at the thought of the sweat and grime permeating your furniture. 

“Good morning,” Captain Price greeted as you sat down at the kitchen table, tucking into your food. 

“Morning. You know, if you guys are going to be here, you might as well make use of the entire place,” you said. “I’ve got guest bedrooms - there’s no need to sleep on the couch and the floor. There’s four bathrooms in this house. Go get cleaned up, you can throw your clothes in the wash. My dad’s closet is yours to raid,” you said. 

“Think she’s sayin’ you stink, Ghost,” the wounded man with the Scottish accent wheezed from the corner. You felt heat rush to your face. 

“No, no, nothing like that. It’s just…if you were friends of my dad, then I want to treat you how he would’ve - with open arms,” you said, embarrassed. 

“You dad was a good man, love. I’m sorry to have barged in on you like this. Would’ve left right away had we any other choice,” Price admitted. 

“Honestly? If you’re going to keep waking me up to freshly made pancakes, you can stay as long as you want.” 

—

You dressed after breakfast and brought out some of your dad’s old clothes. The boys had showered one at a time, and much to your amusement, Captain Price seemed to take a liking to your dad’s Hawiian shirt collection. Paired with his boonie hat and a pair of your dad’s cargo shorts, the resemblance was striking and made your eyes misty for a moment. 

When the big man in the skull balaclava left to take his shower, the Scot beckoned you over conspiratorially. You sat beside him curiously, leaning in to hear him as he spoke in a low voice. 

“What do ye think of Gaz, lass?” he asked, a pain medication induced twinkle in his eye. You laughed nervously. 

“He’s…kind of scary, like the rest of you,” you admitted. There was no denying the aura of danger that each of the men in your house radiated. You imagined your father was once the same, but you’d never seen that side of him. You’d never been exposed to his job like this. 

“Between ye and me, he thinks yer bonnie. Don’t tell him I said tha,” the Scot slurred. 

“I don’t know what that means,” you admitted with a laugh. Noticing his bandages had become a little grimy, you stood to fetch your first aid kit. When you returned to him and started removing his old bandages, he wiggled his eyebrows at you. 

“Don’t let Kyle see ye touchin’ me or he’ll be jealous,” he teased. You rolled your eyes. 

“What’s your name?” you asked curiously, focusing on cleaning his wounds and redoing the bandages. 

“Johnny to ye, lass. The big fucker in the shower without me is Ghost,” he pouted. 

“You can clean up if you want to. I’m sure your boyfriend wouldn’t mind helping you,” you said. Johnny’s eyes shot open from where they were half lidded. 

“He’s not my boyfriend!” he cried, startling you. He glanced around, eyes searching the room frantically before they settled back on you. “How did ye know?” he hissed. You closed the first aid kit and shrugged. 

“Just…guessed, I suppose. But don’t worry, my lips are sealed,” you promised. 

You left Soap to his own devices and he fell asleep rather quickly. You went outside to work in your dad’s garden after lunch, wanting some space from the home invaders and some peace and quiet. The hours slipped by, and you reluctantly came inside when the sun slipped below the horizon. 

The fridge, which had been stocked with enough groceries for one, was mostly emptied. You sighed and started making a list of what you’d need to get at the store the next day. The groceries for one had become groceries for five. 

---