#Gator Tillman hurt/comfort | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dckweed · 1 year ago

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NEXT THING YOU KNOW, gator tillman

in which gator tillman and his arranged bride figure out life and each other and what a real relationship means to them.

warnings: mentions and depictions of abuse, mentions of bruises, arranged marriages, romance, humor, dead parents, slow burn relationship (not completely but not not), basically we know the tillman men are asswipes so i 100% see Roy forcing gator into this kind of situation for money for his militia, eventual smut with kinks such as thigh riding, gun play, choking, spanking, lots of marking and possible spit play.

series masterlist here, series playlist here.

special mention to my girly @xxbookdrunkdemigodxx for listening to my rambles and helping me out with the playlist!

PART TWO: the ride

True to his word, Gator had become your friend. The first couple days of the week passed with the two of you holed up in the house together, pretending to work on the wedding planning even though neither of you knew what the hell you were doing. You kept to the upstairs living room, wanting to stay as far away from Boyd as you possibly could, still angry at him for the whole situation and not wanting to cross paths with him again for as long as you could, your stomach still hurting under the fabric of your shirt from the lashing you had been given from Boyd’s belt as soon as the Tillman’s had left the morning of their first visit. Three times he had hit you, the leather of the belt welting your skin through the thin fabric of the dress you had been wearing. That was typical Boyd, always harsh and quick, and always on parts of your body that were easily hidden by clothes. It had been that way since your mother had married him, though you had kept it a secret from her due to the fear he had built in your brain about what he would do to her if you told her. You didn’t dare tell Gator either, not sure if you really trusted him with that secret quite yet, and definitely not sure of what would happen if Boyd found out. You didn’t want anymore drama than there already was in this god forsaken house.

You liked Gator well enough, he was easy conversation, a little dense in some areas but what he lacked in that he made up for in humor and the willingness to at least listen to you explain. The two of you talked about plenty of things but mostly school and whether or not either of you had been seeing anyone before you had been forced into your godawful situation. You weren’t sure if you were reading his face right, but for some reason you thought that he looked rather pleased when you said that you hadn’t ever exclusively dated anyone, strictly forbidden by Boyd. You learned that he had only ever had one serious girlfriend in his life, in the last years of highschool, though she had taken off to some fancy school on the east coast when they had graduated and he never heard from her again. You could see the swirl of emotions in his big brown eyes, and the way his mouth tensed as he spoke. He shook his head and changed the topic a moment later, picking up one of the magazines laid out on the ornate coffee table in front of the two you and asking what the hell the difference between Ivory and White was and why did it matter so much which shade your dress was.

Those first two days were rather pleasant, you found yourself awfully comfortable in his presence, relaxed even, and the next day when he didn’t show up just after breakfast, you had to admit you were a little disappointed, but you got about your business none the less, trying not to dwell on it. He’s a Sheriff’s Deputy, you reminded yourself, he wont have time to talk to you twenty four seven..and then you kicked yourself for even feeling upset about not having his attention for the day. You’d known him for four whole days, what the hell was wrong with you?

He texted you around lunch time.

Gator: sorry for not being able to help today, even though i know im not much help to begin with..i’m on duty for 24hrs

You were slightly giddy and that made you slightly disgusted with yourself, you barely knew this dude and you were being essentially coerced into marrying him, what the hell is wrong with you?

You: you wont miss much, promise! Be safe out there..

You felt like that was the stupidest response you could have possibly sent, but oh well. You weren’t wrong though, he wouldn’t miss much. The day was mostly spent in the upstairs living room, sprawled on the couch as you called the bakery in town to schedule a tasting for next weekend, and the local bridal boutique to schedule a showing for this weekend..afterwards you spent the next few hours sorting through different styles of wedding dresses you thought you would like, sparing no expense on designers because if you were being forced to do this damn thing, then Boyd was certainly going to pay the fucking price one way or another. And then after you had spent as long as you could doing that, you begrudgingly made your way down the stairs, you had dragged your feet long enough on the girls’ dresses for the wedding, and if you picked them out without their fathers input, you feared you would face another lashing.

You hesitated outside of his office door, taking a deep breath before raising your fist, knocking once, twice, before he gave you the okay to come in. He’s seated at his annoyingly large desk and just barely glances up at you from whatever paperwork he’s doing as you step into the room, closing the door behind you like he liked. “Ah, i was just about to send for you,” He says, setting down his pen as you step closer and closer to his desk, your magazines heavy in your hands. “Sheriff Tillman has requested that the ride with you be moved up to tomorrow morning, his wife has to go out of town this weekend and he’s decided to go with her.” You hum in acknowledgement and he notices your laden arms. “Whatever do you have there?”

How could he speak to you so calmly? As if you weren’t sporting the markings of his rage on your skin? “I’m going to the bridal boutique this weekend, and I want to get the girls' dresses while I'm there, I thought maybe you’d like to help pick them out..” You say gingerly, he seemed to be in a good mood but you could never be too sure with him.

He nods once, pushing whatever he was working on to the side. “Alright, let's see it.”

You give a small smile, slightly relieved as you start setting some of the magazines in front of him. “These are some that I liked, but there’s a few more that I wasn’t sure about. Gator and I decided on a purple and green theme, pastel, summer colors..” You prattel nervously, leaning over to show him the styles that you particularly thought were pretty. He hums, glancing up at you over the rim of his glasses as you settle the magazines in front of them.

“And how are things going with the boy?” He asks, inspecting the pages you had dog eared.

You were rather taken aback by the question, you hadn’t really known him long enough to know how things were going, let alone marry the poor dude, but yet, here you were, planning a wedding. “They’re okay..he’s funny..” You shrug, not quite sure how to proceed. “He’s working today, but he was here the past couple of days to help..” You weren’t sure why you were telling the man, it's not like he didn’t already know who came and went in his house.

Boyd hums and the office falls silent for nearly an hour. You’re about to excuse yourself, let him look at them alone so you can get the hell out of there and go eat some lunch or tack up Bubbles for a ride when he speaks up. “I like these ones best, i’m sure the girls will look lovely..” He says, handing you one of the first magazines you had handed him. You have a quiet breath of relief, but roll your eyes subconsciously, annoyed that he had taken that long. You start grabbing things as quickly as you can, itching to get away from him. “I’ll open up the limit on your credit card, spare no expense.” Are the last words he says, you hum in response and walk out of the office quickly, leaning against the door as you close it behind you.

You’re up before the sun the following morning, your alarm clock bleating around four. You were awake well before it though, your thoughts on a never ending loop. You honestly weren’t even sure if you slept and sighed in annoyance when you trudged your way to your bathroom and noticed the dark bags under your eyes. How were you supposed to sleep? Your life was about to be tethered to someone else’s in a few short weeks, two months wasn’t that much time and you didn’t know this boy for shit. Sure, you guys were on friendly terms at the very least but..marriage? Why had you signed those damned papers? Why did you let him talk you into it?

Shaking the thought from your head you turn the handle on your sink, letting the water run as you went about your skincare business. You’re dressed in less than half an hour, spending a few minutes at your vanity table to swipe some makeup under your eyes, an old habit you had picked up when you lived here full time before boarding school. You figured it wouldn’t take long before the sleepless nights would start again, and you couldn’t help but to wonder if they would be any better when you were with Gator.

Gator..

He had never texted you again yesterday, though you had sent him a few messages throughout the day, and even late in the night just to keep your own sanity. Telling him how much Boyd irritated you, telling him that he needed the next weekend free for cake tasting because you didn’t want to choose something he didn’t like, telling him you were bored..sending him a pouty faced selfie when you noticed he had opened but not responded to any of your messages (that he had also opened and never responded to).

You realized your fiance was a horrible texter and you were going to have to fix that, if you were going to be friends then he needed to at least respond to one of your messages, even if they were annoying.

By four-forty-five you’ve pulled out of the driveway and are off down the main entrance of Boyd’s ranch, your jeep pulling the horse trailer with Bubbles inside of it with ease. Thankfully one of the ranch hands had woken up earlier than you (he had always been friendly towards you, and it was deeply appreciated because most of Boyds employees treated you like shit too) and attached the trailer to your car and loaded up your horde for you. You even found your saddle and other things in the back of the Jeep when you peeked in to look, surprised that your horse had even been loaded for you.

You made a mental note to thank the man when you got home.

The drive to the Tillman Ranch isn’t too long, hell, they were practically your fucking neighbors. You were so focused on survival when you were on the ranch that you had never paid attention to lands that surrounded you. When you arrive at the gate, your headlights shining on the metal and the dirt beyond it, two ranch hands are already there, pulling open the heavy iron for you.

“Thank you!” You half shout, rolling down your window. The one on your drivers side nods once, tipping his hat at you and proceeds to tell you to follow the road towards the house and barn, he would be right behind you to help you unload. You’re surprised when the Sheriff is already waiting for you when you pull up near the barn. You see him on the porch of his house, arms crossed over his chest and hat perched low on his head and your stomach tightens, your hands shake. If you’re late and he tells Boyd, you’re done for, is all you can think as you slide your key out of the ignition and hop down from your seat, your boots kicking up dust.

“Mornin’ Miss Augastine!” His voice carries out from the porch, the sun is only just now starting to rise, a dark glow low in the horizon. You breathe in and walk around your car, up to the porch. “Wasn’t expecting you for another hour or so..” You breathe out. “Interest you in some coffee? Breakfast? Karen just put away my breakfast but I’m sure she’d be more than happy to get something going for you.”

You paint the smile on your face, your morning having been ruined by your brief panic attack. “No, Sir..thank you for the offer, but I was thinking I would go get breakfast with Gator this morning, or an early lunch..” You knew he was probably on his way home by now, and you had the sense that he would probably only sleep for a few hours.

He hums as he meets you at the foot of the porch, staring down at you from the bottom step. Your cheeks flush and you look anywhere but at him as his eyes rake over your body. You hear him mutter something akin to ‘pretty little thing’ under his breath, but you knew you weren’t supposed to hear it so you pretend not to. You were dressed for a casual ride, blue jeans that fit tight in all the right places but loose on your legs, draped over your brown and pink leather boots, and you wore a pink short sleeved polo shirt, the buttons undone enough to show just the hint of cleavage that was sexy enough to keep men entertained but innocent enough to not get you in trouble. You had your own cowboy hat pulled down over your hair, resting comfortably on your head.

“He’s not home yet.” Is all he says when you mention his son, his tone cool and slightly unfriendly. You furrow your brow, wondering why there was the sudden change in demeanor when it came to his boy. “That your show horse?” He steps down off the porch, and you look up to him still, the man being much taller than you even on even ground.

“She’s for more than just show, Sir..” You say playfully, a smile on your face as you happily lead him over to the trailer. He helps you lead her out of the trailer, admiring her with you and then leads you on a slow walk to the barn.

He seems kind, but you know its more for show than anything. You soak it up though, letting him open the barn doors for you even though you’re more than capable of doing it yourself, and you let him lead you into a stall near the back of the barn so you can leave Bubbles and go get the rest of your stuff to tack up. After a few more minutes of talking the two of you separate, you going off to your jeep, and he going off towards his horse to tack up.

As you step out of the barn the sun has risen just a little bit more, and you hear a car pulling up next to yours. “What are you doin’ here?” His voice holds a tinge of familiar nervousness to it, and you can’t help but to soften up for it. He’d gotten out of his squad car before he’d even turned the damn thing off, the radio still on. Your breath caught as your eyes took in his uniform, he sure is somethin to fuckin’ look at, you said to yourself, swallowing back wicked thoughts. “Thought you weren’t doin’ this til the weekend?”

“Plans changed.” You shrug, not really sure what else to say. You figured he of all people would have known that his dad was going out of town this weekend. “He’s in the barn.” Brown eyes dart behind you and then back to you, looking you over. “Want to go get lunch or somethin’ later?”

He sighs, running a hand down his face, shoulders relaxing. “Yeah..yeah lets get lunch later..”He says, turning on his heel. You shake your head, going to grab your saddle out of your car, just as you’re stepping around the front of it you hear him again. “I got it, Pearlie..” You sigh, but not from annoyance as he lifts it out of your grasp. You liked the way your name sounded when he said it, like it meant something and nothing all at the same time. You shake your head, feeling silly for the thought and follow him.

Roy is headed out of the other side of the barn just as you follow Gator in. “Mornin’ dad.” He says, voice a hard and cold tone.

The older man already mounted in his saddle merely tips his hat at his son, but gives you a friendly smile. “Miss Pearl, I’ll be outside when you’re ready.” He says as if there’s no rush, but you know from his sons body language that there most likely is.

Gator’s shoulders are tense and you know it’s not from the weight of the heavy leather saddle he’s carrying. You rush in front of him to open the stall door, trying to be helpful, and you can see the pinched look on his face, the coldness in his big brown eyes. He lifts the saddle up and sets over Bubbles, who stands perfectly for him. He turns his hat backwards and you just about melt into the hay strewn floor, who knew that stupid things like a man you’re engaged to turning his hat backwards could be so damn hot? He doesn’t say a word as he starts fastening the gear in place, like he’s done it a thousand times before.

It only hits you just then that he probably has done it a thousand times before, his father clearly loved the animals, why wouldn’t he teach his son how to tack up and mount?

“You didn’t have to do that for me, Gator..” You say softly as he finishes. He only shrugs and straightens up, patting Bubbles on the belly gently as he does. “Thank you..” You whisper as you walk past him, grabbing the horn of her saddle so you could pull yourself up.

Just as you’re about to put a boot in the stirrups you feel his chest against your back, the smell of whatever it is he smokes encompassing you as he grabs your hips firmly and lifts with ease. “Good?” He asks, watching you settle into the saddle. You nod once, hoping your hair and hat are doing a good enough job of hiding the flush on your cheeks and neck, not having expected such a display of obvious strength. “Good..off you go then..” He holds the stall open for you and you ease Bubbles out of it, just as you start to walk past him you feel his hand on your calf. He’s looking up at you with an expression you’re not familiar with on his face, and it makes you worry. “Be careful with him.” It comes out as more of a statement, but you can hear the pleading behind it, and it makes you worry even more, a slurry of questions forming in your mind. “..please?”

“Okay..” You say. He lets you go and you don’t question farther, spurring Bubbles to follow out the way you had seen Roy going with his own horse. “Hey Gator?” You look over your shoulder at him, he has his hands on his hips. “Go take a nap the bags under your eyes are bigger than the ones in my closet!” You laugh as you leave him behind you, and you swear you can hear him chuckling too.

The ride starts off in silence, you and Roy side by side as he took you on the scenic route through the ranch. You had to say that you really didn’t know much about the Tillman’s, you wouldn’t know how to start off the conversation even if you had wanted to, and you truly didn’t want to, not with Gator’s pleading words lingering in the back of your mind.

The ranch really is beautiful, especially in the early starts of the summer, the rolling hills are green, and you can see where they have more cattle off in the distance. It’s a calming atmosphere, more relaxed than life was on the Augastine ranch.

“How’s my son been?” His voice is deep and rough, startles you for a moment. You turn to look at him, adjusting your hat in the glare of the sun. “He bein’ nice?” Nice didn’t sound like a word that was normally in Sheriff Tillman’s vocabulary, you wanted to point it out, the smart mouthed bitch in you raring at the thought but you thought of what Gator had said, and then you thought of Boyd and your still aching ribs and thought better of it.

“He’s been sweet.” You say, offering a small smile, the warmth of the sun hitting the skin of your face. “Real helpful with the wedding plans..he’s taking me to lunch after this too..” You say, rambling nervously. “Oh, before I forget, did he ever ask you about the twins being in the wedding?”

Roy shakes his head at you, pursing his lips. “I don’t recall a conversation..Karen would have mentioned it to me i’m sure..” You notice his hands tighten on his reins and you furrow your brows at it.

“Oh, he probably just forgot is all.” You chuckle, wanting it to stay light hearted. Truly, you had never even asked him to ask anything about the girls and you hoped you weren’t about to get him in trouble because of your small fib..you just wanted to change the topic to something more neutral. “I’m going to the bridal shop this weekend to look for my dress, and I already have dresses picked out for my sisters but I was wondering if you’d like me to pick out dresses for the twins as well? I would absolutely love to have them in the ceremony..they could be my flower girls, or hold my train…” Your sisters were already taking the spots as your bridesmaids, you didn’t have a choice in that matter. Gator had three of his best friends stepping in as groomsmen and you only had one friend coming to the wedding, and she was going to be your maid of honor.

“I think that’s a lovely idea, Miss Pearl.” He says and for a moment, everything is silent again as he hums a tune you’re not familiar. “Matter of fact..” You glance over at him again. “Karen and I are leaving to go out of town tonight, we’ll be gone through the weekend..we were planning to take the girls with us, but I’m wondering if you want to take them with to the Bridal shop if you want them fitted for dresses? Karen and I would love the alone time, of course if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on them with Gator for the weekend?” You wanted to protest, but, you realized that it was probably a good excuse to get yourself out of Boyd’s house for a few days, and just the thought sounded heavenly, even if it meant carting around your fiance’s sisters and playing house with him.

“You know what, Sheriff Tillman,” You say, giving him your dazzling, people pleasing smile, the kind that had man many a guy weak in the knees back at boarding school. “That sounds like a fantastic weekend, i’d love to get to know my new little sisters better, you and Karen go have fun on your little trip! Me and Gator can handle things!”

He gives you an easy smile in return. “Well alright then.” He says, and then nudges you with his knee from his horse. “And please, little lady, call me Roy.” He gives you a wink that sends unpleasant shivers down your spine and you giggle politely in return.

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mrprettywhenhecries · 2 months ago

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o, christmas tree [g.t.]

Part Two of 𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏–𝑳𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠

Gator Tillman ✗ Win Lewis

➼ w.c. 2.9k ➼ warnings/tags. hurt/comfort, fluff, mention of roy, spiders ➼ a/n. This series takes place about a year after the events of Don’t Waste Your Time (on Me), and while technically the main series is still being written, I wanted to take a small break to write some fluff for Win and Gator for Christmas. ➼ divider credits. truck divider @/strangergraphics, bottom divider @/saradika

Gator finds out Win’s never had a real tree before, and inspired by fond memories of cutting down a yearly Christmas tree with his father, gone sour, he decides to take Win to pick one, wanting to replace his old memories with new.

Win flipped the glossy page of the catalogue in her hand as Gator walked into the living room, shoving another cookie into his mouth.

“If you keep eating them at that rate, there’s not gunna be any left by Christmas,” she chastised, glancing up at him over the top of the catalogue as he flopped down next to her and she lifted her stockinged feet to rest in his lap.

“I can’t help it, they’re so fuckin’ good,” Gator groaned around his mouthful of cookie before dusting the crumbs from his chest. “Dealing with your dad was definitely worth it,” he murmured and Win smiled softly, still touched by the gesture.

“We should think about putting up a tree soon. There’s some nice ones on sale,” she mused, glancing back down at the catalogue.

“What, already? It’s a bit early for that,” Gator scoffed and Win frowned, her head snapping back up.

“What do you mean too early? When I was a kid we’d have it up the day after Thanksgiving,” she snorted.

“If we get one now, it’ll be dead before Christmas,” Gator exclaimed, as if it were obvious.

“Ohhhh,” Win breathed, dropping the catalogue to her stomach and pushing herself up. “You’re talking about a real tree.”

“Yeah duh,” Gator huffed in amusement, until a thought occurred to him. “Wait, have you never had a real Christmas tree before?” he asked in disbelief and Win shook her head.

“No, only fake ones.”

“I’ve only ever had real Christmas trees,” he murmured, a far away look crossing his face. “My dad would always take me with him to—“ he cut off, shaking his head as his lips twisted in distaste.

Win shifted, tucking her legs under herself to crawl closer, pressing into Gator’s side. “It’s okay to miss certain things about him,” she whispered, slipping her hand in his. “You’re allowed to have some good memories.”

Gator frowned, his brows furrowing briefly before he gave a curt nod. Softening, he gave Win’s hand a squeeze. “I’d rather make new memories. With you.”

Win smiled, lifting his hand to press a kiss to the back of it. “Let’s do it.”

A dazed grin tugged at Gator’s lips as his eyes found hers. “You, me, a real tree. It’s on,” he chuckled.

“So what all does picking out a tree entail?” Win asked, matching his grin.

“Well, we gotta drive a ways, and there’ll be a bit of a hike, then the actual cutting down part, and then you have to drag the tree back to the truck—think you can handle that?”

“Psh, can I handle that?” Win scoffed, wrinkling her nose at him. “You of all people should know I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, Tillman,” she teased.

Gator laughed, holding his hands up. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Oh my God, why is it so far?” Win exclaimed, already starting to shiver as the icy wind whipped past them, cutting through her fleece lined leggings.

“Hey, I warned you, remember?” Gator retorted, pulling his boot from the ankle deep snow only to sink through the light crust that capped the wet powder with his next step. The cold was starting to bother his bad leg, but he wasn’t about to tell Win that, not after giving her a hard time about her own complaints. Plus the last thing he wanted was to worry her.

“Yeah, yeah, you did,” Win huffed, her breath misting in the air before dissipating, swept away by the wind that stung her face despite the thick scarf wound round her neck. “Couldn’t we have just gone to a tree farm, though? Or picked a different day,” she grumbled, huddling closer to Gator’s side as they hiked across the field toward a small grove of snow dusted fir trees.

“I thought you wanted the whole experience,” Gator pointed out, a wry grin stretching his chilled lips.

“I do,” Win whined, throwing him a pout. “I just wish this wind would die down, it’s blowing right through me.”

Gator sobered, wrapping an arm around Win’s shoulder for a little warmth, wincing slightly at the insistent ache in his leg.

“Yeah, me too,” he agreed through gritted teeth. “Once we hit that treeline, it should get better,” he said. “Not far now.”

Yeah, but then we still have to make the hike back, Win thought, though she didn’t voice it.

Surely enough, once they entered the cluster of trees, the thick branches buffered them from the wind and Gator let out a sigh of relief.

“Told ya,” he quipped and Win gave him a playful shove.

“Now what? We just pick one?” she asked, raising her eyes toward the tops of the trees, trying to measure them by eye.

“Pretty much, yeah,” Gator said, unzipping his backpack to retrieve the tape measure.

“You measured the spot by the front window before we left, right?” Win questioned and Gator gave her a flat look.

“Course I did. I know what I’m doin’, Winnie. I’m the expert here, remember?” he scoffed.

“Alright mister expert, I was just checking,” she laughed, holding her hands up and he rolled his eyes fondly.

“See any you like?”

Win slowly walked the row in front of them, assessing each tree carefully before finally stopping in front of one that looked promising.

“How about this one?” she asked, reaching out a gloved hand to touch one of the snow dusted branches. “Think it’s small enough to fit in the house?”

Gator extended the yellow measuring tape, circling the tree to measure its height and width. “Yeah, that’s pretty perfect, actually.”

Win beamed, pleased that she’d found their tree so quickly. “Is this part usually so easy?” she asked, helping Gator spread out the tarp next to the tree, the blue plastic bright against the snow.

Gator laughed. “No, not usually,” he admitted. “Sometimes it would take us nearly an hour to find the right tree.”

“Damn, we’d be frozen by then,” Win chuckled, dusting the snow from her gloves. “Now what?”

“Now, I’m gunna need you to hold the tree steady while I saw. Kind of pull it away from me a little to keep it taut and I’ll let you know when I’m through, then I’ll help you get it on the tarp,” he explained, crouching down to get closer to the base of the trunk while Win grasped it higher up, squeezing her eyes shut against the branch pressing to her cheek.

The steady sound of sawing filled the chill air, louder than usual in the silence of the grove and to Win it felt like hours before Gator let out a grunt.

“Okay, I’m through. Hold it steady while I get out from under here.”

The tree gave a jerk as Gator disentangled himself, wobbling precariously for a moment before Win tightened her grip on it, wrapping her arms around the trunk with a shaky “whoa!”, her eyes squeezing shut.

“Shit, careful!” Gator yelped, grabbing the tree to steady it. “You okay?” he asked, peering through the branches at his wife.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she breathed, finally opening her eyes.

“Before we lower this sucker to the tarp, we should shake the loose needles off so we don’t have as many when we get it in the house,” Gator said, giving the tree a few sharp shakes, a ring of dark green needles falling to the snow below.

“Will a lot of needles fall off? Will our tree go bald?” Win exclaimed in alarm and Gator let out a snort.

“It’s not gunna go bald,” he laughed, shifting his grip to start tipping the tree so the branches wouldn’t break as they set it on its side.

“Don’t you make fun of me, Gator Tillman!” Win cried, amusement seeping into her voice. “This is my first real tree, I don’t know these things!”

“Don’t worry, doll, as long as we keep it well watered, it won’t lose many needles,” he explained, sweetly condescending.

Win stuck her tongue out at him, but bent to grab the edge of the tarp. “I’m excited to get it home and decorate it.”

“Me too,” Gator agreed, taking hold of the other corner of the tarp and beginning to pull. “Gunna put those new camo ornaments on it,” he exclaimed, waiting for Win’s reaction, knowing exactly how she felt about them.

As if on cue, she let out a long suffering groan and glanced at him from the corner of her eye as they headed for the field, the tarp leaving a wide swath of flattened snow in its wake.

“Fine, but they’re not going near the front.”

“Aw c’mon, why not?” Gator exclaimed, a knowing grin tugging his lips, and Win rolled her eyes at him.

“Because they’re ugly as fuck,” she scoffed.

“They’ll blend right in, you won’t even notice ‘em,” he teased, enjoying pressing her buttons further.

Win shot him a wry look, bracing for the wind as they moved past the treeline and back out into the open. They bickered playfully for a while longer as the wind whipped their faces and tugged at the edges of the tarp until Win noticed the pained expression that flashed across her husband’s face.

“Is your leg bothering you?” she asked, definitely clocking the stiff way Gator was moving.

“Just a bit,” he grunted, but Win knew if he was admitting that much, then it was hurting more than just a bit.

“We’re almost there,” she pointed out, mentally measuring the remaining distance to the truck. “Toss me the keys and I’ll get the cab warm while we load the tree.

Gator nodded, pulling his glove off with his teeth so he could reach into his pocket for his key ring, dragging the tarp alone for the last few feet so Win could jog ahead to start the engine. By the time they bailed the tree with twine and got it in the truck bed, they were both thoroughly frozen through and the warm truck was a godsend.

“Oh fuck, that was so cold,” Win breathed, holding her frigid fingers to the vent.

“Gimme your hands,” Gator murmured, enveloping them with his own and blowing on them, slowly working warmth back into them as he shivered. “Maybe next year we’ll just go to a local tree farm,” he relented and Win barked a laugh.

“If I do say so, our tree looks pretty damn good,” Gator announced, planting his hands on his hips as he appreciated his handiwork – the tree all set up and positioned perfectly in the front window.

“It’ll look even better when it's decorated,” Win exclaimed, admiring it for a moment with him. “At least the hard part’s done,” she said, opening the box of lights. “Speak for yourself, decorating it’s the hardest part,” Gator scoffed, peering over her shoulder at the tangle of lights in the box.

“Maybe if you hadn’t just dumped them in the box like this when we took them off last time,” Win huffed, her eyebrows pinching as she picked the strand up, trying to find the plug.

“That wasn’t me,” Gator insisted, holding his hands up, though they did little to fend off Win’s unimpressed glare. “Alright, I’ll help,” he grumbled reluctantly, taking a swing from his bottle of Dew before pulling the lights from her hands.

“Okay, what do we have here–” he murmured, trying to detangle the strand.

“Careful!” Win yelped when he yanked at the cord to pull a section loose, the tiny plastic light bulbs catching on each other.

“Why don’t we just buy new lights?” Gator grunted, but Win shook her head.

“That’s so wasteful. As long as these ones still light, I think we should use them,” she argued, working the end of the strand free and managing to plug it in, all the coloured lights blinking to life in Gator’s hands.

He grumbled something under his breath, but he kept working at the knot, his brows pinching as his tongue peeked out from between his lips in concentration. By the time they’d worked the last of the strand free, Gator had almost been ready to throw in the towel, but Win’s hand on his arm had pulled him from his bubble of frustration, keeping him from giving up.

As she began to carefully gather the lights in a neat loop to start stringing around the tree, he realized she always seemed to have that effect on him. Win was like a soothing balm on an angry rash. No matter how annoyed he could get about something, her presence alone was usually enough to calm him.

“Need some help?” he asked, reaching around the tree to take the lights from her.

“Oh, yeah, thanks—“ Win exclaimed distractedly, letting out a laugh as Gator pulled the strand around the back of the tree and then wrapped it around her like a lasso, pulling her closer.

“You’re gunna get us all tangled again,” she chastised lightly, biting back a grin.

“Eh, there’s worse places to get tangled,” Gator murmured, smirking down at her as he pulled her flush against him, her arms trapped against his chest.

“I s’pose so,” she agreed, lifting her chin to meet his gaze, his dark eyes lidded as they trailed her face, long lashes brushing his cheek with each slow blink, and then his lips were on hers, soft at first until she returned the kiss, a breathless whine catching in her throat as she parted her lips for him, meeting his probing tongue with her own.

“This is gunna take a lot longer if we keep this up,” she teased, nipping at his full bottom lip when he finally pulled back.

“I’m okay with that,” Gator quipped, arching a brow at her before giving a soft yelp when she poked his stomach.

“We can pick this back up where we left off once we’re finished,” Win insisted, her lips curling in amusement at the pout forming on Gator’s lips.

“Alright,” he sighed dramatically, stealing one last peck before releasing her and getting back to work.

“It’ll give you incentive to work fast,” she teased, leaning into the tree to wend the lights around again, handing the bundle to Gator on the far side.

Whatever snarky response he was formulating died on his tongue when Win suddenly yanked her hand from the tree with a shriek, a large black spider crawling up her arm.

“Fuck fuck fuck! GET OFF!” she screeched, frantically shaking the spider from her hand and leaping up onto the couch with a violent shudder as it landed on the ground at Gator’s feet.

“What the fuck!” he yelped, dropping the strand of lights and dancing backward, nearly tripping over the end table in his rush to get away.

“Get it, quick! Before it gets back into the tree! I won’t be able to sleep if I know that thing’s in the house,” Win cried and Gator’s eyes darted to the spider that was already starting to scurry back toward the lowest branches.

Scrambling upright, he lifted his foot to stomp it, only to stop just as Win let out another cry.

“Wait! Don’t kill it!”

“What?! How the fuck am I supposed to get rid of it then?” Gator snapped and Win hastily searched the room for something to trap the spider with, her eyes landing on the empty plastic pitcher they’d used to fill the tree stand with.

“Use this!” she exclaimed, tossing him the pitcher, and letting out a cheer as he dropped it over the spider before it could get any farther.

“Got it!” he cried, letting out a heavy sigh of relief. “You’re safe now, mama,” he drawled, smirking at her as he straightened, trying to act like he hadn’t freaked out at all.

“My hero!” Win laughed, throwing her arms around Gator’s neck as he lifted her from the couch to set her back on the floor. “Thank you for not killing it,” she murmured a little sheepishly, handing him a piece of cardboard to slip under the pitcher to carry the spider outside. “I read this thing a while ago about not wanting someone to kill you just for being small and it stuck with me. Makes me feel guilty for killing bugs now,” she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she followed him to the door to release the spider.

“You’re such a fuckin’ softie,” he muttered, shaking his head ruefully as he shut the door, hoping the spider wouldn’t find a way to just come back inside.

“As if you’re not,” Win snorted, returning to the living room to pick up where they left off.

“I’m not!” Gator insisted, though his words held little conviction as he trailed behind her.

Once they’d finally finished stringing the lights and getting the decorations on the tree – Win even relented on her threat of keeping Gator’s ornaments out of sight – they stood side by side to marvel at the finished product, bathed in the soft glow of the multicoloured lights as the sun sank below the horizon.

“It smells so good in here,” Win exclaimed, leaning into Gator’s side, smiling softly as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. “I’m really glad we did this. It’s perfect,” she breathed, her eyes shimmering in the dim room as she gazed at the tree in wonder.

“Yeah, it really is,” Gator murmured, though he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from her.

➼ taglist. @super-unpredictable98 @heartbreak-sandwich @sailorskunk @hickeysgodcomplex @thecreelhouse

@girlwiththerubyslippers @mayhem24-7forever

#gator tillman #gator tillman x oc #gator tillman fluff #gator tillman fanfiction #oc: win lewis #otp: wingator #joz.fic #fic: a tillman-lewis christmas

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crappymixtape · 1 year ago

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crappymixtape recos

going to try and do this at least once a month – sharing fics that have just blown me away ❤ so many talented writers on here omg 🥺 show them some love and BE KIND, REBLOG! xoxo, 💿

♥️ holding hands with steve – @upsidedownwithsteve ( steve and unconciously searching out each other’s hand while sleeping or not realizing they’re holding hands til someone points it out • steve harrington x reader, fluff, hurt / comfort )

♥️ driving mr. harrington – @upsidedownwithsteve ( blurb prompt → steve and driving lessons, and let me tell you, no one is surprised at how damn sweet this is • steve harrington x reader, ALL fluff )

♥️ i guess it's never really over series, 18+ only– @loveshotzz ( a summer back in hawkins with your best friend and the boy you’ve done nothing but try to forget • mechanic!steve harrington x reader, smut, angst/hurt comfort, no upside down )

♥️ watching steve shave – @plainemmanem ( waking up to find a shirtless steve standing in front of the mirror shaving, his back muscles going absolutely sicko mode with each movement, just standing there staring at him bc he's so sexy • steve harrington x reader, just a giant thirst trap with a sprinkle of fluff )

♥️ steve's too drunk pt. 1 • pt. 2 – @pearynice ( steve gets drunk at a high school party and gets stuck wallowing in his own self-pity, but there on the back porch he finds an unexpected friend • steve harrington x eddie munson, omg the cutest fucking steddie interaction of all time AND THERE’S A PART TWO )

♥️ he's a freak, he's the fastest kid alive – @frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe ( thinking about eddie getting arrested one night by hopper and officer whats-his-face and when they turn their backs on him for a second he fucking bolts • steve harrington x eddie munson )

♥️ power's out neighbor – @lovebugism ( the power goes out in our apartment building, but i’m not prepared for this, and you come to check on me with steve • steve harrington x reader, fluffy, SO funny and witty )

♥️ i'll be there for you series, 18+ only – @supernovafics ( in which you and steve end up at your childhood home after a shitty party at the house of one of your old high school friends. a frozen pizza and some spilled wine lead to another awkward moment between you two • steve harrington x reader, smut, fluff )

♥️ call me daddy, 18+ only – @stvharrngton ( gator’s got you bent over his bed and you accidentally discover a kink • gator tillman x reader, just straight up filthy smut )

♥️ spin doctor – @carolmunson ( eddie works at a record store, he’s a little snobby, sort of shy!reader if you squint and it’s the very late 90s • eddie munson x reader, witty banter and a teeny bit of fluff )

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spookysteddie · 1 year ago

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I'll Take Care Of You

Gator Tillman x fem!reader

18+ Minors DNI

cw: SPOILERS FOR FARGO EPISODE 9, angst / hurt / comfort, Roy being a fucking dick, talks of eyes, medical talk, blood, violence, sad boy!gator, kidnapping, marriage. (Let me know if I missed anything)

wc: 2.6k

a/n: look... I am holding out hope our favorite Sheriff will be able to see. I dunno I'm delulu as fuck okay? Anyway, this is a little sad but I have no shame and love how I ended it. I hope y'all do too!

...

You feel like you’re going to be sick as you stand there staring at the man in front of you.

His eyes are covered and all you can see is blood, his hand tied behind his back and the rope around his neck being used as a fucking leash. You’re back far enough that Munch can’t see you, but you can see him and you can see Roy standing there like a fucking idiot.

Gator is shaking and it isn’t from the bitter winter. No, it’s fear, pure unadulterated fucking fear. You watch his chest rise shakily. He’s crying, his sobs reaching you, your heart breaking. You place your hand over your mouth, trying to muffle your own sobs. You can’t be seen, you can’t risk not being able to help Gator.

He’s been gone for a little over a day, no one seeing him after he went to talk to Dot. You had gone to work, having told Gator you’d be back by four. But when you got home his cruiser wasn’t in the driveway. You’d called everyone asking if they’d seen your fiance. Even going as far as asking Karen if she knew where he was or what happened that day. Besides Roy being embarrassed at the debate, she said everything was normal. Roy had made Gator stay back to keep watch over Dot. You thought it was fucking stupid, singeling him out per usual.

By the time Roy gets home, asking you if you’d seen Gator and accusing you of covering for him. Typical Roy behavior, he doesn’t even seem to be worried that his fucking only son is missing, instead telling Karen to get dinner ready because he’s hungry. You want to scream, you want to shake him and tell him how much of a shitty father he is. But you don’t, instead you go to you and Gators shared room, wrap yourself up in one of his shirts and keep calling around. You have no luck and instead, cry yourself to sleep.

By the time morning rolls around, you being woken up by Roys stupid fucking freedom fighters banging around inside the house, Gator still hasn’t been found. Roys head is so far up his own ass that when you ask if he’s heard anything, he shrugs.

You’re close enough to hear what they’re saying, Munch speaking in rhymes as usual and Gator gasping for breath every time Munch tugs on the rope around Gators neck. You have a sickening feeling there are two missing pieces of Gator behind that burlap blindfold. Your stomach turns again, bile raising in the back of your throat.

Then, Munch shoves Gator into Roy, knocking them both to the ground. Your eyes close out of fear but when you open them again, Munch is nowhere to be found. But you don’t get up, scared Roy will shoot you on accident (or on purpose).

Gator cries as he rolls over, probably onto his broken arm, “daddy?” His pained cry reaches you, making tears fall faster.

Roy sits up and looks around, definitely looking for Much. “Quiet,” he says. His tone is stern and cold, not giving a single fuck that his son is back and that his son in clearly hurt. It makes your blood boil.

“Daddy? Daddy, I’m scared.” He sits up, arms still tied behind his back.

Roy sighs, standing up, “I said shut up.” Gator lets out a little sob, a little boy who is terrified and just needs his dad to show him an ounce of comfort. “If there ever was a point to you, it’s gone now.”

You swear you can see Gators heart crack in his chest as the words cut through his soul. He’s speechless as Roy walks away, leaving his son still bound on the cold, snowy ground. “Dad?” But he isn’t going to get an answer.

You decide you can make your move, Roy far out of sight. Gator hangs his head, sobs wracking him. He needs comfort.

You try and hold back your tears, clearing your throat. It doesn’t do any good, “Gator? Hey, sweetheart.” His head jerks up, blindly looking around.

“Baby?! Bunny, is-is that you?” He’s panting, anxiety mixing with his fright. He’s in fight or flight and you need to calm him down. You also have to get him somewhere safer to look over any injuries he has.

You smile, even though he can't see it, just hoping it translates in your voice. It doesn’t, adrenaline overpowering everything. Your hands shake as you carefully lift his chin. “I’m here, my love. Oh, I missed you so much. Let’s get you untied, yeah?”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I couldn’t let it go,” he sobs while you take the rope off from around his neck, being careful not to touch near his eyes.

“Baby, you don’t have to be sorry. You and I both know that you were damned if you did let it go and damned if you didn’t.” It was true. There was no winning with Roy. Never. “I’m gonna go behind you and untie your hands okay. I’m gonna use my knife.”

“The pink one I got you?” He’s trying to distract himself, trying to keep his mind going.

You smile wider, “of course, my love. I always keep it on me. Never know when you're gonna need to stab someone.”

He doesn’t laugh.

When you finally get his hands free, they fall to his sides limply. His cast touching the ground. He just sighs deeply and you know it’s coming.

“I’m useless now,” his voice cracks and he sniffles. “I’m a loser and I’ll never be able to prove myself.”

You can feel your body heat with sadness and anger. Anger for the little boy who grew up without his mom. Anger for the little boy who wasn’t given a fair chance. Sadness for the little boy who just wanted his father to love him. Sadness for Gator Tillman who tried to be good, who wanted to be good, but whose father corrupted him and snuffed out his light before he turned five.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that. You are not useless. Do you hear me?” Your voice cracks at the end, unable to hold it in.

Gator shakes his head, reaching out to feel for you. You drop to your knees in front of him, grabbing his good hand. His cast hand reaches out and fiddles with the beautiful diamond he put on your finger five months ago.

“I am. Dad told me just now that he has no purpose for me anymore. I tried. I tried so hard. Why was it never enough? Why was I never enough?”

You carefully hug him, wanting to hold him tighter but knowing that’d be a bad idea. “Listen to me right now. You, Gator Tillman, are enough. You always have been. Your father is an asshole. A corrupt motherfucker who took his hatred for his mother out on you. It has never been fair.

“But you are good, Gator. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You tried your hardest and Roy kicked you over and over again. I will not do that. It’s you and me forever. Got it?”

All he does is nod and you take it as your cue to get him inside.

“I wanna look over your injuries and we’ll go to the hospital if we need to okay?”

You help him up, wrapping his good arm around you and letting him lean on you, walking towards the house. “I ain’t going to no the hospital. They’ll ask questions.”

“Gator, you might need to go to the hospital. I don’t even know what’s wrong with your eyes.”

He doesn’t answer, just silently walks inside with you. You give him time, letting him feel around for the railing so he can make it up to his room. You open the door, noticing the duffel bag of money sitting on his bed, which means Roy found it. It also means Roy was snooping around in here.

You shut and lock his door after settling him on the bed, making sure to grab the first aid kit from his bathroom. His chest still shakes a little here and there and your heart continues to break. You’d be a liar if you said you weren’t terrified of what you’ll find under that blindfold. There were few possibilities and you were prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

You set everything up beside him taking a deep breath.

“Okay, my love. I’m gonna take this off okay? It might hurt but you can trust me okay?”

Gator nods.

You grab the scissors and start snipping by his ears, doing your best to not tug the fabric. Once it’s free you gently pull it back, swallowing the bile in your throat as you reveal his eyes.

“Oh, Gator…”

The cut runs from just above his eyebrow to his cheek. It cuts right through his lids so even as he closes his eyes, you’d still see his eyeballs. You wonder how Munch didn’t knick his eyeballs, he must’ve done it slowly, dragging out the pain.

You can’t stop the choked cry that flies up your throat. “Can-can you see me?”

He shakes his head, “I kinda can. But s’blurry and my eyes really hurt.”

You can tell that his eyelid and sewn together haphazardly, clearly Munch underestimated how much the eyes can bleed. You also can tell he’s burnt.

“Did he use something hot?” You ask as you start to clean the blood and dirt off of him. It’ll be no short of a miracle if he doesn’t get an infection.

“Mhm. Some kinda hot knife thing. I was awake for it. Hurt real bad.”

You know what you’re about to say isn’t going to go over well. But you try regardless, “you need to go to a hospital, Gator. I’m worried you’ll get an infection, not to mention tetanus.”

You watch him freeze, “we can’t. They asked me a ton of questions when Munch broke my fuckin’ arm. I don’t wanna answer their bullshit questions.”

“Gator, listen to me, I am not a doctor and I am worried that if we don’t help you that you’ll lose your vision.”

He tips his head to the ceiling, sighing deeply, “m’scared. I’m so scared. What if I don’t get my sight back? We’re supposed to get married.”

You clean down his neck, sighing at the bruise there. “Well for one, we’re getting married even if you can’t see me. I still love you all the same. And two, the sooner we get you there, the more likely it is they’ll save your vision. Okay?”

You can see his lips wobble even though he does his best to hide it. “Please don’t leave me,” it comes out in the softest whisper and any remaining pieces of your heart shatter.

“Never, Gator. Never. You’re stuck with me for life.”

…

Six months later

It’s been a very, very long six months.

After you took Gator to the hospital, avoiding any questions that went further than the basics. You gave them the short and sweet answer, making up a few details as you went. You called in some of Gators co-workers, ones you know are on Roy's payroll to inform them about Munch.

Needless to say, Munch didn’t live past three days after the incident. You were more than fine with that, making sure to watch them place him in the grave on the farm to know he’s dead. For your sake and Gators.

Gator had to have a lot of surgeries on his eyes. His eyes were, like you suspected, burnt. It took a good month and a half to heal them. It was painful and you silently cried most nights as Gator groaned and cried in his sleep. When he slept, which was rare.

His nightmares of the situation causes him to wake up screaming, grabbing his chest as he pants. The first time it happened, you grabbed the gun from under his pillow, looking around for this unknown terror. Then you remembered Gator couldn’t see. He told you about his nightmare and you made sure to hold him tighter at night.

It was rare that you slept as well.

You spent a lot of time in church, praying to God that Gator would see again. You didn’t even believe in God, but you were willing to try anything if it meant Gator would be okay.

By month three they had, somehow, restored Gators sight in one of his eyes, the other one just blurry but he could semi see. It was nothing short of a miracle.

By the fourth month, he was back at work. On desk duty of course but it didn’t really matter to him. Well, it did but he knew it was more of a risk for him to be out arresting people at this time. The issue with small towns is people talk. You weren’t sure how, but people knew Roy had practically disowned Gator. They knew when he moved out of the house after you bought one for you two.

What they didn’t know was the conversation had between you and Roy. Conversation wasn’t the right word, actually. No one ever just had a conversation with Roy Tillman. It started with you telling him you were here to pack up Gators room. Of course, he gave you shit, telling you Gator wasn’t allowed to move out, saying he needed Gator close to check up on his health.

You’d never laughed so hard in your life. It ended with you screaming at him, telling him he was a piece of shit for leaving his hurt son in the dirt, tied up and crying. Roy just said he was weak and needed to be taught a lesson. But the time you left Roy had a bloody lip and a broken nose.

Now, at month six, Gator is doing well. He can see for the most part, going to therapy and back out in the field. You’ve never seen him so happy. Roy hasn’t attempted to contact either of you, Karen calling here and there in secret to check on Gator.

The only person who calls every other day is Dot. Dot is the one who came to visit Gator in the hospital, holding his hand while he apologized for not helping her and telling her he hopes she dies there. He didn’t mean it and she knew it. Dot accepted his apology and told him how proud she is of him, how much she’s always loved him. How she knows all he’s wanted was to be good. Gator cried then, hugging her so tightly.

Dot fixes your hair, smiling at you through the mirror.

You’re getting married today, deciding with Gator that this union needed to happen immediately. You needed him to be yours for the rest of your life and he wanted no one but you to have a say over his life.

So, you stand in your white dress, fingers wrapped around beautiful flowers. Gator stands at the end of the makeshift aisle in the field of your own ranch, the scar on his face slowly fading, less red than it was months ago, and tears falling from his eyes.

Gator’s daddy isn’t there and neither is Karen. But Dot and her husband are front and center, their daughter being your ring bearer and the wedding being paid for – though you argued about it – by Waynes mother.

And as you hand your flowers to your sister before taking Gator’s shaking hands in yours, Gator realizes that, for once, he’s safe with you and your love.

#Gator Tillman #gator tillman x fem!reader #gator tillman fic #gator tillman fargo #gatortillmanedit #gator tillman hurt #gator tillman x y/n #gator tillman x reader #fargo s5 #fargo fanfic #fargo season 5 #fargo spoilers

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allthingsfangirl101 · 8 months ago

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Late-Night Visitor Part 2 – Gator Tillman

Part 1

Gator's POV

I gasped when there was a quick knock on my window. My stomach flipped when I saw Y/N sitting on the other side of my window with tears streaming down her face. I sprinted across my room and tore my window open. I instantly grabbed Y/N and helped her inside. I didn't bother to close the window as I kept my arms wrapped around her.

"What happened, baby?" I asked softly. She answered me by sobbing into my chest. I tightened my arms around her, focusing on comforting her instead of focusing on my anger that was slowly building up.

"It's okay," I soothed. "Everything is going to be okay. I'm right here, baby."

With my arms still wrapped around her, I led her over to my bed. We laid down and she was asleep in seconds. I, however, didn't sleep the rest of the night. When it was finally morning, I quietly got out of bed. I went downstairs and started making breakfast.

"You're up early," my dad scoffed as he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. "And since when do you make waffles, eggs, and bacon?"

"Y/N came to my window last night."

My comment made my dad freeze. He put his cup down a little harder than needed. He took a shaky breath before turning toward me.

"What did that son of a bitch do to our Y/N?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "All I know is she showed up at my window around 2. She had tears streaming down her face and as soon as I asked her what happened, she started sobbing."

"Any bruises?"

"I didn't notice any."

"Did you talk to her at all last night?!" He yelled. "Of did you just fu. . ."

"Will you be quiet?!" I whisper-yelled. "She is upstairs, sleeping. And something tells me she hasn't been sleeping lately."

"Are you going to handle this or do I need to?" He asked semi-threatingly.

"I will handle this," I said firmly. "I'm not going to let that asshole hurt my girl."

"Is she your girl?" He smirked at me.

"Yes," I said through my teeth. "I told her I loved her and she told me she loved me. She's my girl and if anyone hurts my girl, I will do something that would get my badge taken away."

"That's good to know."

We both gasped in surprise at the new voice. We turned around to see Y/N leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey, beautiful," I said a little too sweetly.

"Hey, Y/N," my dad smiled at her. "Everything okay?"

I wanted to hit him but held back. Y/N wrapped her arms around herself and looked away. "I'm. . . fine." She finally got out.

"Okay," he said, sending me a look. "But you know that if you ever need anything, you can come to us."

"I know that, Sheriff," she smiled softly. "Thank you."

"Of course," he said, his voice soft. He walked over and kissed her forehead before leaving. Once he was gone, Y/N looked up at me and smiled as if she was here under normal circumstances.

"Smells good," she chuckled. "I didn't know you could cook."

"Y/N," I cut her off. "We need to talk about last night."

"Do we have to?" She asked, her voice dropping. I walked over, closing the gap between us, and took her hands gently in mine.

"Yes," I whispered. "Please, baby. What happened last night? Did your dad hurt you?"

"Almost," she said, her voice breaking. "I came home from work and he was finishing off his second six-pack. He asked me if I went to the store, but he never told me. I swear, Gator, he never told me to go to the store. If he had, I would've gone. I always go when he asks."

"I know," I said softly. "I know that, baby. I'm guessing he got angry."

"So angry," she said shakily. "He threw his half-drunken beer at me. Luckily, he was incredibly drunk and he missed. I ran to my room and climbed out my window. I was so scared I didn't grab my keys or my phone. I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that I needed you."

I pulled her into my chest and wrapped my arms around her. "And I am right here," I whispered. "Always."

I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. My heart sank when Y/N let out a shaky breath and cuddled into my chest.

"You know," I said a little louder, "there is still a beautiful breakfast on the table. Are you hungry?"

* * * * *

Y/N stayed with me for the next couple of days. She eventually had to go home and I was nervous the entire time. I decided to distract myself by going to the store with my dad. And by that I mean, I sit in the truck and vape.

My heart jumped in my throat when I looked up and saw Y/N pushing a shopping cart out of the store. The second I saw her, I knew something was wrong. And then I saw him.

Her father was walking behind her, yelling something. I sat up straighter, my hand instantly reaching for the door handle. He continued to scream at her as she unlocked the car, opened the trunk, and started to put the groceries in the trunk.

Y/N gasped when he hit the side of their car. When she gasped, she dropped a grocery bag with chips. I jumped out of my dad's truck right as Y/N's dad grabbed her arms and started shaking her in anger. I started sprinting when he used one hand to backhand her while the other was still roughly gripping her arm.

"Hey!"

"What do you want, Tillman?" He growled at me without letting Y/N go.

"Let go of her," I demanded.

"Back off," he sneered. "This doesn't have anything to do with you."

"Yes, it does." I pushed him away, finally making him let go of her. I didn't hesitate to step between them.

"How dare you?" He growled.

"Gator," Y/N whispered. "You shouldn't have. . ."

She gasped when her father grabbed my shirt with both hands and roughly pulled me closer.

"Don't you fu. . ."

"I would have to politely ask you to let my son go, Mr. Y/L/N."

I looked over my shoulder to see my father walking over to us.

"Someone needs to teach your son how to talk to his elders," Y/N's dad said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, he knows," my dad said simply. "He also knows how to talk to drunks and how to talk to women."

My dad glanced at me, his eyes finding Y/N frozen with her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"I'm only going to ask you this one more time, Mr. Y/L/N," my father said in the calming tone that usually meant he was moments from losing his shit. "Let my son go."

Y/N's dad roughly pushed me away and I instantly turned around and found Y/N, wrapping her in my arms.

"Are you okay?" I whispered. With her eyes still on our fathers, she shook her head. I tightened my arms around her as we watched our fathers talk.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Y/N's father sighed. "I was simply helping my daughter put our groceries in the car when your son came running over and pushed me away."

"Is that true?" My father asked as he turned toward me.

"No," I said, not looking away from Y/N's dad.

"I see," Dad sighed. He glanced over at Y/N, his eyes instantly softening. "What happened, Y/N?"

I looked down at her to see her opening and closing her mouth but unable to say anything. Her eyes glanced to her father who was glaring at her. As her father threatened her with his eyes, she began to shake. I tightened my arms around her and pulled her more into my chest.

"She accidentally dropped a bag of groceries. He, of course, got pissed and started screaming at her." I paused before adding, "He hit her, Dad. I saw it."

My dad gently reached over and moved some hair out of Y/N's face. Tears continued streaming down her face but she didn't cringe away from him.

"Is that true, Y/N?" My father asked. "All I need you to do is nod."

Y/N tucked more into my chest but didn't shake her head. My dad glanced at me before leaning down so he was at eye level with her.

"I promise," he said, his voice soft, "I will protect you from him. Gator will protect you from your father. But in order to do that, I need you to tell me he hurt you. As Sherriff, I can't do anything until you report him."

"Please, Y/N," I whispered. "All you have to do is nod. Nod and this all goes away. Forever. Nod and I will spend the rest of my life protecting you. I promise. Please, Y/N. Does your father hurt you?"

She looked up at me and it was then that I noticed I had tears in my eyes. She reached up and gently caught a tear with my thumb.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He hurts me. He's been hitting me since Momma left us. It's the worst when he's drunk. The more he drinks, the harder he beats me. He hurts me. He hurts me, Gator. He hurts me."

She started to sob as she repeated the last three words several times. As she turned and sobbed into my chest, I escorted her to my dad's truck. I looked over my shoulder to see my dad putting her father in handcuffs.

"Aaron Y/L/N," my father recited, "you are under arrest for child abuse, endangering a child, and neglecting your daughter."

* * * * *

My dad ended up waiting in the store parking lot for a patrol car and I drove Y/N to her house. I helped her pack up a few things before taking her to my house. She went upstairs and showered while I made her something to eat.

"Gator?" Her voice came softly from the bottom of the stairs.

"In the kitchen, baby girl."

I looked up right as she walked in. The first thing I noticed was her hands wrapped tightly around herself and her eyes on the floor. I ran over to her and gently grabbed my arms.

"Baby?" I said softly. "Look at me, gorgeous. Please?"

She took a shaky breath before looking up at me. As soon as I saw her eyes, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When I leaned away, she had a soft smile on her face.

"There's my girl," I whispered. "You're safe, baby. I swear. No one will ever put their hands on you again. You're safe with me, Y/N."

"I'm safe with you," she repeated. I smiled when she tucked into my chest. I immediately wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"Exactly," I soothed. "From now on, I want you to stay here with me."

"But. . ."

"My dad won't mind," I said as she pulled out of our hug. "You're the only one of my friends he actually likes. He'd want you to stay here."

"No more sneaking over late at night?" She asked, her voice finally sounding like her old self.

"Nope," I chuckled, tightening my arms around her. "No more knocking on my window at 2 am, sneaking in, and staying the night. You're just going to stay."

Y/N stood on her toes and pressed her lips to mine. I let out a soft moan as I kissed her back. When she broke the kiss, she had light tears filling her eyes.

"I love you, Gator," she said, her voice breaking. "I've always loved you. I've always known that you would protect me. I didn't tell you about my dad because I didn't want you to do what I know you would do; protect me from him. And I didn't want that. I didn't want you trying to put yourself between us, like you did at the grocery store. He almost hurt you, Gator. I didn't. . . I couldn't. . . If he hurt you. . . I couldn't be the reason for that. I couldn't let him take you from me."

"He won't. I swear, baby. He'll never take me from you. No one will."

"Promise?" She asked, her voice breaking. I leaned in but didn't kiss her.

"I promise, Y/N. No one will ever take me from you. Just like how no one will ever take you from me."

#gator x reader #gator tillman imagine #FARGO #joe keery #joe keery imagines

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buckysgrace · 11 months ago

Text

26. Strangers

Part 26 of Every Little Thing!

Gator Tillman x fem!oc

Daphne becomes suspicious of Gator's new case and how overprotective he becomes.

CW: Unprotected sex

Gator was late again. By the time he returned from work the moon was high in the night sky and she’d retreated to bed to read by her lamp light. It was a nice way to take advantage of the fact that she no longer got to read as much as she liked. The only issue was that she couldn’t keep Gator off of her mind. She was worried for him.

She sat up on the edge of the bed, listening to the sound of the front door opening and then closing. It wasn’t much longer that she heard his steps coming up the stairs, making her shut her book completely as she rushed over to meet him at the door.

She wasn’t sure what overcame her, but as soon as he took a step through the doorway she had her arms around him. She breathed in his musk, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as she nestled herself against his cool body.

“Hey,” He chuckled as he touched her shoulders gently, squeezing her tightly in response. She sighed deeply as she rested her chin against the crook of his neck, just glad to have him back, “Sorry I’m so late.” He mumbled as he swayed them back and forth. She brushed her nose against the crook of his neck, knowing that he didn’t have to apologize for working.

“It’s okay. How was your day?” She asked him, then noticed the solemn look on his face, “What happened?” She questioned him worriedly, stepping back so she could better let him explain. He chewed on his cheek, thinking to himself before he opened his mouth.

“Alvie ran off into a ditch,” He spoke slowly, “He uh, didn’t make it.” She looked at him surprised, her eyebrows raising on her forehead as her eyes widened in shock. She processed his words for a moment, trying to understand what he was saying.

“Nugent is dead?” She asked him, seeking clarity as she watched the way he looked away from her. He rubbed at his bottom lip, nodding his head softly before he stripped out of his vest.

“Yeah,” Gator said slowly, “It happens.” He dismissed her, trying to act like it was no big deal as he slowly removed his hat next. She watched the way he ran his hands through his hair, clearly looking frustrated before he turned to face her again.

“Are you alright?” She asked him softly as she held onto his bicep, “I know you worked with him for a long time.” She told him gently, remembering that it had only been a month ago that they’d brought the twins up and introduced them to everyone.

“Things happen,” He responded gruffly, “I’m fine.” He moved away, beginning to strip himself out of his clothes as he roughly tossed them into the dirty laundry basket. She held her hands over her stomach, trying to think of the best way to comfort him.

“Well what’s going on?” She asked slowly, “I mean that guy shot up the gas station and killed an officer then. Now Nugent is dead. Is someone on the loose?” She asked him seriously, beginning to feel a little scared. She always left the doors locked, but she suddenly wasn’t sure about having the twins sleeping in their nursery. Perhaps they needed their cribs moved into their room for a while.

“We’ll find that guy,” He said stiffly, more to himself than anything. She felt her heart flip inside of her chest, fearing for the worse as he flicked the bathroom light on,“No. Nothing bad is happening. Don’t worry about it.” He tried to tell her again. She shook her head, walking forward to hold onto him.

“I worry about you,” She mumbled into his chest, “I don’t want you to get hurt.” She breathed out against his skin, worried that something bad would happen to him. It was scary to think about. She didn’t like thinking about it.

“I’m fine,” He told her as he tilted her chin up towards him, “See? Nothing’s wrong.” He moved his head about, grinning like she had nothing to be worried about. She watched him, still feeling like there was something wrong. She knew he wouldn’t like it if she continued to pester, but she couldn’t help it either.

“Can you take some time off?” She asked him gently, genuinely worried that something may happen to him. Her safe town suddenly felt very dangerous. She didn’t like that.

“Maybe after this,” He grinned as he cupped her chin and tilted her face up towards him, “Don’t tell me you miss me that much.” He teased her, making her feel a little bit better as she rested against him. She pulled her lips into a soft grin as he continued to caress his fingers across her skin.

“I always miss you,” She giggled in response leaning up a little further so her lips could brush against his, “I get awfully lonely.” She replied as she linked her fingers through his pant loops, then tugged him closer.

He brought his mouth against hers, agonizingly slow as he gripped her chin between his fingers. He gave her a soft squeeze, dragging his lips against hers gently. She breathed in the taste of him, savoring the feeling of his lips as she moved to play with the hair at the nape of his neck.

She stalled against his mouth, freezing softly at the soft sound of cries that came from the room next door. Gator’s lips continued to brush against hers gently before he came to a halt, exhaling roughly.

“Shit,” He groaned as he rested his forehead against hers, “It’s like they know.” He shook his head, making her smile as she squeezed at his muscles again. She leaned forward to kiss the tip of his nose.

“Take a shower,” She told him gently, “There’s leftovers in the fridge. Relax for a bit.” She told him softly, almost fearing to let him go as she made her way out of the room. She kept feeling like he was hiding something, like there really was something more sinister lurking about. She tried to push those thoughts away, knowing that it wouldn’t help anything. She trusted Gator. She had to.

He was gone again early in the morning. She hadn’t even heard his alarm go off. She exhaled, resting against the mattress for a long moment before she dragged herself out of bed. It was later than usual, meaning that the twins would also be off of their schedule.

She still had a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach that remained long after she got the twins changed and fed. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that today was officially Halloween. It would be a fun day, even if the babies were too little to do much with it.

“Aren’t you handsome?” She grinned as she petted Birdie, noticing the way he was lingering to her side today. She’d dressed him in a little caterpillar outfit, which he had thus far left alone, “Oh boy. That’s not nice to tease.” She told him, watching the way he moved out of reach from Knox. Knox huffed in protest before falling back onto his bottom, looking irritated as he reached for a fresh block to chew on.

She tried to text Gator throughout the day, little updates and check-ins just to see if he would answer her. He never did. She knew he was just busy, but it did nothing to help the little voice in the back of her head.

By late afternoon he returned, his loud boots signaling his return as she worked on prepping for dinner. She perked up, quickly scrubbing her hands clean and then drying them right as he entered the door.

She was at his side again, attaching her arms around his waist tightly once again as she breathed in his strong cologne. She rested her chin into the crook of his neck, giving him a tight squeeze as she did her best to lift him up. She failed, not even getting the heels of his feet up before she dropped him.

“Hey,” He laughed, looking down at her in wonder before he pressed his finger against her chin, “What’s going on with you?” He looked at her, his eyes full of humor as he analyzed her features. She leaned against him with a deep sigh. She allowed herself a moment to stare at his handsome face.

“I miss my big, strong man,” She teased him as she rocked back and forth on her feet, “The babies are sleeping.” She explained, watching the way his eyes drifted around the room. He turned towards her again, giving her a soft smile before he linked their fingers together. She paused, noticing that he wasn’t taking his uniform off.

“Ah,” He nodded his head, glancing around at the final decorations she’d thrown up, “Did you put this up for us?” He smiled again, though he had a guilty look on his features as he peered around. She nodded her head, liking the little lights and decorations she’d found. She had a fake cat, but Birdie kept attacking him.

“I thought we could watch The Nightmare Before Christmas tonight. Then Hocus Pocus if we can stay awake,” She laughed, knowing that it was harder and harder for them to stay up past eleven, “I got those matching pajamas too. Aren’t they cute?” She told him all at once, excited at the prospect of spending time together. She had no idea how she’d managed to miss him so much when he’d only been busy for a few days.

“Yeah,” Gator asked as he looked over the four sets of clothing, “Really cute.” His eyes drifted over them for the longest time as he went silent. She watched the way he set his jaw, how he roughly gulped as he shifted his hands to his hips.

“What’s wrong?” She asked him gently, feeling nervous as she brought her hands against the outfits again. She tilted her head, doing her best to meet his guilty eyes.

“Uh,” He paused softly as he brushed his fingers over his belt, “I won’t be back until late tonight. Something came up with the case and I need to be in Minnesota.” He looked up at her finally, his eyes remorseful as his words hit her. She parted her lips, nodding her head gently.

“Right now?” Daphne asked, trying to hide her disappointment as Birdie brushed his face against her ankle, “That sucks that they didn’t give you more of a warning.” She said gently, nodding her head as she tried to diminish the big plans that she had set up for them. There would always be more Halloweens. She knew his job was important. Someone needed his help.

“It does, I’m sorry,” He said quickly, “You can always stay with dad and Karen. Or maybe Noelle would want to stay over?” He explained his suggestions to her, but she dismissed him this time. She didn’t want to go anywhere else but the house.

“I can handle the fort on my own,” She laughed as she listened to him, “It’s only Halloween night. You know, when all the ghosts and witches and demons come out.” She teased him, tilting her head sweetly as she did her best to earn another grin from him. He looked at her seriously this time.

“Not funny.” He responded, sounding a little more stern to her surprise. She parted her lips, unsure of how to approach the subject from this point. She bent down to lift Birdie, earning a purr of approval from him.

“Seriously, we’re fine,” She told him gently, “You have a hard job. Will you be okay?” She asked him this time, feeling like there was still something else going on with him. He pulled his lips into a frown before he nodded quickly, like he didn’t want to think about it too deeply.

“I’m always okay.” He reassured her, stepping forward again so he could kiss the side of her head. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes as she wished that he’d stay with her. She wished she could be just a little more selfish.

“You know, I think you should be benefitted some sort of time off after getting your arm hurt on the job.” She told him seriously, blinking quickly as Gator continued to squeeze her gently. Birdie wiggled in her arms, apparently not too pleased with Gator holding onto him.

“I don’t think that’s how it works.” He said with a soft laugh before he kissed the top of her head again. She grinned, liking the sounds that left his lips.

“I don’t think that’s how your father works,” Daphne clarified, “Just please be safe. I don’t need you losing another arm.” She said seriously, unsure of how that would go about. He snorted as he pulled away.

“I’m fine,” He tried to reassure her, but she wasn’t quite comforted by his words, “Make sure and lock the door behind me, yeah?” She looked at him curiously, then turned to look at the time on the clock. It wasn’t even dark yet.

“Right now?” She asked him seriously, watching the way his expression hardened again. She frowned, not quite understanding what the big deal was.

“Please.” He replied with a softer tone, his expression turning gentle once again. She nodded her head, setting Birdie down on the couch as she followed him to the door. He still looked regretful as he watched her, which made her feel just a bit better. At least she knew that he didn’t want to go either.

“Be safe,” She told him seriously as she leaned over, ignoring the cold wind as she pecked his lips, “I love you.” She said softly, watching the way his lips grew into a bigger grin before he repeated the words back.

She walked around the other side of the house, peering out the window and watching the way his truck slowly disappeared in the distance. Birdie jumped up next to her, sitting on the counter as he peered out the window in the same manner.

She went along with her plan, although it felt different spending so much time without him. The twins were fussier than usual too, both of them falling into a tear of puddles anytime she had to set them down to do something else. Even if it was quick.

She didn’t like asking for help when it was this late at night. She was sure that her mom would come over, but it didn’t feel right. She should be able to do this on her own. She knew that it was inevitable, that Gator would eventually have to do a night shift or two. She just wished it wasn’t so back to back.

She kept checking her phone, hoping for some sort of update from him but receiving silence in return. She sighed, knowing it wasn’t his fault but desperately missing him all the same. Birdie stayed to her side again, like a second skin as he followed her in and out of rooms. She figured he could sense her growing anxiety too.

“I know,” She mumbled as she had both twins sat into the breastfeeding pillow, trying to ignore how much they’d outgrown it. She hadn’t used it in some time as she hadn’t been very successful in breast feeding. They were both whining again, their eyes fresh with tears, “I miss him too.” She told the both of them, hoping that Gator would get home soon.

Carrying them upstairs together was impossible so she started with Knox, who was sleeping heavier than Piper. Once she confirmed he wouldn’t stir from his crib, she returned back downstairs for Piper.

Only by then, Piper had grown fussy once again and now had fat tears rolling down her cheeks. Daphne quickly apologized, dried her eyes and bounced her back and forth to soothe her. She carried her upstairs slowly, getting her calmed down just a bit before she entered the nursery.

“You’re so sad tonight,” She mumbled as she sat in the rocker with Piper, slowly beginning to rub circles against her back as she nestled her head into Daphne’s shoulder, “See, if you said mama first maybe this wouldn’t happen.” She teased Piper, smiling to herself as Piper continued to sniffle and wiggle herself closer to Daphne’s chest. She reminded herself that it hopefully wouldn’t be much longer. He’d be back.

The next morning went a little smoother, though she kept tripping over how closely Birdie was sitting underneath her feet. Piper was still fussy, but Daphne was now wondering if she was coming down with something as she kept sniffling and sneezing. She was warm, but not running a temperature yet.

She’d set out a few pots and spoons onto the floor, letting both of the twins play around with them as she worked on breakfast. She was a little behind on their schedule, but figured they were already out of the loop anyways. It couldn’t get much worse.

“Hey!” Gator’s tone surprised her, nearly making her drop the carton of eggs from her hands. Both of the twins jumped as well and the slow but sure sound of them beginning to cry rang into the air. She sighed as she set the eggs down, then went to comfort them on the floor, “I tried to call, you didn’t answer.” His tone sounded off, like he was scared.

“I must’ve left my phone upstairs,” Daphne blinked in confusion as she began to bounce Piper in her right arm. It wasn’t like he had ever answered her texts anyways. She held the pacifier up to Knox’s mouth with her free hand, waiting for him to calm down too, “Sorry, they were both fussy last night and she keeps-, where are you going?” She asked him in confusion, unsure of where he was disappearing to now.

He stomped up the stairs, taking two at a time as he gripped the railing and moved like he was on a mission. She waited, watching the way Knox sniffled and gripped the pacifier before he went back to smacking his little palms against the pots on the floor. She walked towards the stairs quickly, holding onto Piper as Gator vanished upstairs.

“Gator,” She yelled up after him in disbelief, holding onto Piper as she continued to whine, “What are you doing?” She glanced towards Knox, but didn’t trust him to not attempt to stand if she left. She couldn’t carry both of them up the stairs either, it was too hard for her.

“Did anyone come by?” His voice was loud as it carried down the stairs. She furrowed her eyebrows together, turning to see that Piper wore the same look of confusion. She shook her head, growing more concerned.

“What?” She asked him seriously, not understanding why he’d be asking that unless something was wrong. He appeared again, poking his head out of their room just enough so she could see him.

“Daphne,” His tone was tense, “Was anyone here?” He asked again, more sternly this time. She shifted Piper in her arms as she began to whine, clearly wanting to be held by him instead.

“Who would be here?” She asked him seriously, shaking her head as he dipped back into the bedrooms again. She sighed as she turned to look down at Piper, looking at the sadness that was swirling in her eyes

“Nothing is out of order then?” He asked, finally returning down the steps. He looked around the living room next, then the kitchen as he rubbed his palms across his pants. Piper grew fussier, holding her arms out towards him as a shrill sound left her lips.

“No one has been here,” She replied, although she felt an uneasy feeling growing in her stomach as Gator took Piper from her arms. He paused, rocking her back and forth before he kissed the side of her head, “What’s going on?” It was her turn to be stern. She held her hands out in disbelief, needing answers from him this time.

“I just panicked,” He mumbled as he bent over to pick up Knox, who had dug his tiny fingers into Gator’s pants in an attempt to stand, “It’s nothing.” He shook his head, holding them both close to his chest. She rolled her tongue around the top of her mouth, knowing that he was lying to her.

“You thought someone was inside the house,” Daphne told him seriously, “That’s not nothing. What’s going on? Why were you gone so long last night?” She demanded of him, frustrated that he kept sneaking around her questions. He sighed deeply before he pressed a kiss to Piper’s little fist.

“It’s just the case we’re working on,” He responded as he brushed his cheek against Knox’s, “I just let it get to me.” He mumbled underneath his breath, avoiding eye contact with her as the twins continued to snuggle to him.

“You’re lying.” She told him seriously, trying to keep her anger at bay. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to get mad at him for not telling her. It would only make him keep even more secretive. She just wanted to make sure he was safe. That’s all that she wanted.

“Someone left a note in dads house,” He mumbled softly as continued to hold both of the twins in his arms. She winced a little bit, hoping it wasn’t hurting his sore arm, “In the girls room. I just got scared that they came here too.”

“Why would someone do that?” She asked him, suddenly feeling scared herself. She couldn’t imagine someone breaking into Roy’s house. He always had it well guarded for his own paranoid reasons. If someone got in there, they could get their house with no issue.

“I don’t know,” Gator sighed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said seriously, still looking tense as he looked over the twins as if he was ensuring that they were alright. Piper squealed in response, her eyes bright as she stared up at him.

“I’m sort of freaked out right now,” She laughed underneath her breath, “What’s going on?” She could feel her heart fluttering roughly inside of her chest as her own worries grew. No matter how many times Gator would try and dismiss her, she knew that something had to be wrong. She chewed on her bottom lip, wishing he’d be honest with her.

“I need to go check on dad,” Gator mumbled as he slowly set a squirming Knox back down, “I know, I know. I’ll be right back though.” He looked guilty again as he handed Piper to her. It took a minute to get her situated, as she continued to lean forward to try and attach herself to him. He brushed his fingers through her hair, looking like this was killing him.

“You haven’t slept at all,” She reminded him, feeling bad as Piper started to cry again, “Do you have to go?” She asked him seriously as she began to bounce Piper, trying to calm her down as her cries began to grow louder.

“I’ll be back,” He replied with a nod of his head, “This shouldn’t take long.” He lingered for a second, bending over to pepper a few kisses against Piper’s forehead. She reached her tiny fists out, looking frustrated as her cheeks began to grow red.

“Alright,” She agreed with him, because she really didn’t know what else she could say. He’d go regardless, “Just please hurry back.” She replied, shrugging her shoulders in defeat. He exhaled roughly before he nodded, then turned on his heels as he left them once again.

She sighed deeply, unable to fully process that he was out of the door again as the sounds of both of the babies crying grew louder. She shifted them onto her lap on the couch, bouncing both of them in an attempt to get them to calm down.

She felt like her nerves were frazzled by the time he returned again, which wasn’t much longer, just as he had said. Still, Piper had been inconsolable since he left. She finally got her to sleep, but didn’t have the heart to let her go. She felt bad for her.

“Are you done being a busybody?” She asked him, watching the guilt spread over his expression as he kicked off his boots. He worked on removing his jacket next, then his gun. He kept his hoodie on as he walked towards them.

“For now,” He replied as he sank down onto the couch. He smiled as he reached forward, picking up Knox who had begun to scoot towards him, “I’m sorry.” He said seriously, his eyes regretful as he pulled Knox onto his lap. He kissed his head softly, smiling as Knox offered him his pacifier.

“You can’t apologize for your job,” She mumbled as Piper continued to snooze against her chest. She knew she should keep them on the same schedule, but she didn’t want to wake her when she clearly didn’t feel good, “Did you get hit?”

“Uh,” He paused, “Just a little bit.” He rubbed at his cheek, narrowly avoiding the bruise that was underneath his eye. She watched the way he quickly turned away, smiling as Knox started to kick his feet.

“I’m going to have to wrap you in bubble wrap,” Daphne mumbled as she continued to look at his black eye, “The same guy get you?” She questioned him, feeling worried. She hoped that it wasn’t someone too dangerous.

“Something like that,” He mumbled as he leaned forward, holding Knox up into the air so he could brush his forehead against hers, “You smell good.” He took her by surprise, making her smile as she looked up at him.

“You smell like smoke,” She said seriously as she rubbed her hands across his jawline, “Like really bad.” She cracked a smile, trying to make the conversation a little lighter as Knox giggled in his hand. He nodded as he sat back down, pulling Knox up against his chest.

“Sorry,” He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head, looking deep in thought for a moment, “I’ll go clean up in a minute.” He replied, looking like he wanted to do anything but that as he stared down at the way Knox had lazily rested himself on his lap.

“That sounds good. You should rest,” She told him softly, watching the way he continued to look at Knox, “Did something else happen?” She questioned him gently once again, hoping that he would trust her enough to open up.

“They caught the guy that shot the officer, you know at the gas station,” Gator replied slowly, “He drew on dad so he had to shoot him.” His tone was flat as he spoke, like he didn’t know how to fully think about it. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, leaning forward this time so she could comfort him.

“Oh,” She frowned as she squeezed at his fingertips, “I’m sorry you had to see that.” She told him truthfully, sure that it had to be pretty scary. He chewed on his bottom lip as he nodded along with her.

“Nothing unusual,” He said dismissively, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He mumbled as he bounced Knox up into his arms as he stood. He grinned, dipping his face down so he could pepper kisses across Knox’s face before he sat him back down on the floor.

“I’ll make you some lunch,” She offered, “Is a grilled cheese alright?” She asked, doing her best to gently shift Piper around in her arms. She was sure that she could cook while continuing to hold onto her.

“Sounds fucking amazing,” He laughed, “Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering against her skin for a few seconds. She closed her eyes, thinking about how deeply she missed him too.

He inhaled his sandwich once he was done in the shower, returning in only a pair of gray joggers as she worked on getting a bottle ready for Knox. She tried to find something to say, but was unable to do so as she awkwardly tried to twist the lid of the bottle off with one hand.

“I can take her,” Gator said softly as he reached for Piper, “Is she sick?” He sounded worried as he picked her up, his eyebrows knitting together at the way she started to fuss before she calmed back down into his arms. He held her tightly, gripping her the same way he had with Knox earlier.

“She might be coming down with something,” Daphne confirmed as she moved her shoulder around, her arm sighing in relief as the muscles were no longer straining, “She didn’t sleep well last night.” She told him gently, speaking the truth but also not wanting him to feel guilty for something he couldn’t help.

“Poor girl,” He mumbled as he gave her cheek a few kisses and swayed her back and forth in his arms, “I’m sorry for leaving you alone.” His tone was full of regret as he brushed his long fingers through Piper’s thick hair.

“You can’t help it,” She told him gently, confirming that the milk was at the right temperature before she bent over to give it to Knox, “It wasn’t too bad. I didn’t have to hear you snoring.” She teased him, watching the way Knox began to inhale the bottle in a similar way to how Gator had chowed down his sandwich.

“Funny,” He laughed as he shook his head, looking content as he continued to swaddle Piper to his chest, “I missed the three of you. A lot.” He mumbled as he rested his cheek against the top of Piper’s head. He inhaled deeply, looking like he was worried that she might be upset with him.

“We missed you too.” She told him seriously, smiling softly as she leaned over to kiss his cheek. She was still worried, but she trusted him. If he said everything was fine, then it was fine.

Gator was attentive that night. She wasn’t sure how he managed to stay awake, even though she was certain that he didn’t sleep the night before. He laid on the floor with both of the twins, playing with them and then later helping them feed. He handled the diaper changes and also the bottle feedings. She had a feeling he felt more guilty than what he was letting on.

“Are you coming to bed?” She whispered softly, brushing her fingers through his hair as he rocked Knox in the rocking chair. The little night light was shining in the nursery as Piper laid peacefully in her crib. Knox was deep asleep as well, but Gator still held him tightly.

“Yeah,” He mumbled softly, his eyes glazed over in a sleepy haze as he looked down at how Knox had his lips pursed together, “I was just waiting a moment.” He replied as he brought his finger against Knox’s cheek.

She smiled gently before she bent over to kiss the top of his head. She stayed there for a moment, inhaling the scent of his shampoo from his shower earlier. He moved his body closer to her, sighing softly as he rested against her.

“You’re doing a great job,” She told him then, feeling like he needed to hear it, “The twins will be so happy to hear that their daddy is such a good guy, that he takes down all the bad guys.” She giggled as she pulled away, a little surprised at how his features remained stoic.

“I hope so,” He smiled stiffly as he shifted Knox in his arms before he stood from the chair. He cradled their baby to his chest, holding him closely before he bent over to brush his lips against hers, “I’ll be there in just a second.”

“Okay,” She mumbled, blinking softly as she watched him. She nodded her head, enjoying the way his eyes sparkled from the night light, “I’ll see you in a minute.” She told him gently, moving slowly as she turned back down the hallway.

She wanted to press more about what was going on, but knew that it would do no good. He was stubborn. If he didn’t want to talk about it, he wasn’t going to without a fight. She didn’t want him mad at her. Not when he was clearly stressed about work.

“Sorry,” He mumbled as he walked into the room, smiling softly as carried a bag inside. She looked at it curiously as she finished rubbing lotion onto her legs, “I just hate putting them down sometimes. I missed them.”

“It’s alright,” She told him honestly, watching the way he flicked the main light off and turned his lamp on, “They missed you a lot too.” She replied seriously, knowing that was part of the reason Piper had been so fussy.

He nodded his head, looking happy with her answer as he slowly sat down on the bed. He covered his face with his hands, sighing deeply as she scooted towards the bag that was left open. She looked at it curiously, glad that it wasn’t filled with guns but also worried about the amount of rope and duct tape inside.

“What’s this?” She asked as she held up the mask that had fallen from his bag, “You went trick or treating?” She asked him, raising her eyebrows as she inspected the Jack Skellington mask in her hands.

“Undercover,” He said quickly, “I did not get any candy. I swear.” He replied with a hint of a smile, looking tired as she scooted closer to him. She crossed her lips, pursing her lips into a grin as she held it up to his face.

“Mhm,” She hummed as she moved the mask over the back of his head, “Huh. Not bad.” She replied, tapping her fingers across the side of his mask. She tried to blame it on him being shirtless, but she knew that wasn’t really the case.

“You like it?” He asked, tilting his head in a manner that had her insides clenching together in awe. She chewed on her bottom lip as she slowly nodded her head in agreement as a warmth spread down between her legs.

“You look pretty sexy,” She giggled, then gasped as he pushed her back onto the bed, “What are you doing?” She chewed on her bottom lip, hoping that it was going somewhere.

He looked slightly menacing as he crawled over her, his muscles bulging as the light from the lamp danced off of the side of his mask. She breathed in heavily, chewing on her bottom lip as she felt his warmth spreading to her body.

“Shh,” He teased her as he looked down at her from the mask, “Just relax.” He mumbled, moving his casted hand to grip her chin. She fell silent, unable to speak as her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. She stared up at him, trying to keep her hips from moving up against him.

He brushed his fingers over her hardened nipples underneath her pajama shirt. He tilted his head, watching the way she squirmed underneath him before he moved his hand further down. He sat on his knees, kicking her legs far apart before he began to tug her shirt up over her shoulders.

She gasped as the cool air settled around her skin as a fire settled through her veins. He leaned down, tilting his mask up just enough to free his lips as he brought his tongue down against her sensitive buds. She moaned, arching her chest up towards him as he brought his wet tongue down against her nipple.

Jolts of electricity spread through her body from the sensation and a rough moan left her lips as he flicked his tongue down across the bud again. She whined, rolling her hips up towards him this time as she felt her clit throbbing in anticipation.

“Hm,” He hummed against her nipple, sending vibrations down her body. He dragged his fingers down her sides. She watched the way his mask fell back over his face, covering him as he gripped her pants. He quickly pulled her pajamas down, followed by her panties as he left her exposed, “So pretty.” He mumbled as he dragged his right fingers through her wet folds.

He lightly dragged them across her clit, making her gape as he collected her slick along his fingertips. He inhaled deeply, his chest falling and rising as he slid two fingers inside of her easily. She moaned as he pushed his fingers to the brim, only stopping once his cast pressed up against her.

“God,” She moaned as she rubbed her hips up against his long digits. He curled them inside of her easily, tsking his tongue against the roof of his mouth as she continued to grind up against him, “S’nice, baby.” She whined as he dragged his fingers deeper inside of her wet walls.

He leaned down again, pushing the mask up so he could lick at her nipples once again. He wrapped his lips around her sensitive bud as he continued to grind his fingers into her fluttering cunt. She cried out as she rested her hands near her head, moaning as curled his fingers deep inside of her.

She moved her hips with his movements, enjoying the way he easily slid inside of her hole. He brought his teeth down against her nipple, biting softly as she arched up against him again. She licked her bottom lip, whining as the pleasure grew deep inside of her.

“Gator,” She whined as she fought the urge to latch her thighs around his wrist, “I want you.” She told him seriously, breathing out roughly at the way he lifted his face up towards her, HIs mask was still in disarray, revealing his wet lips to her.

“You want my cock?” He mumbled, sending her stomach twisting into knots again as he slowly withdrew his fingers from her cunt. He brought them up to his mouth, making a show of it as he licked his fingers clean. She whined as he gripped her wrist with his free hand, then brought her palm against his bulge.

“Yes,” She replied, whining as she rubbed her palm against his hard cock, “I want your cock so badly, daddy.” She whispered softly before she quickly sat up. She didn’t have to remove the mask to know that he was smirking, probably cock as she quickly pulled his pants down.

She slowly brushed her palm around his hard cock, admiring the way her fingers struggled to wrap around his girth. She pumped him slowly, earning a low groan from him. She grinned, chewing on her bottom lip before she took the opportunity to shove him back this time.

“Fuck,” He hissed as he shifted onto the pillows, pushing the mask up over his head as he eagerly watched the way she straddled his lap. His eyes stayed glued to her body, searching over her curves and tits as she reached down between their bodies to grip his cock again, “You’re so beautiful.” He mumbled, making her face flush as she quickly turned away from him.

She couldn’t fully process his compliment, taking to sliding his pink tip inside of her wet walls. She felt her eyes flutter shut at the sensation of being stretched out. He moved his hands to her hips, gripping her tightly as she adjusted along the length of his cock.

She breathed in sharply, feeling like she was inhaling more of his cock as he slowly thrust his hips upwards. She shifted on his lap, resting her palms down against his abdomen as she slowly moved herself along the length of his cock.

“Oh,” She whined, her eyes shutting in awe as he pressed her back down onto his cock. She moaned at the way his cock curved inside of her, hitting her bundle of nerves. He grunted in response, his eyes filled with hunger as his eyes glazed over her body, “Jesus Christ.” She moaned out, unable to think of any other words as she focused on the way his cock pressed deeply against her spongy walls.

His groans grew louder as he dug his fingertips into her skin, holding onto her tightly as he began to move her body up and down his cock. She whimpered as she closed her eyes, her boobs bouncing from the rough way he was moving her.

Her legs trembled around him, her cunt clamping down along his thick girth as the sound of their flesh meeting filled the room. She looked down at him, admiring the way his features knitted up into pleasure. She moaned, leaning down to press her lips against his.

He kissed her roughly, his mouth sliding against hers blissfully as they captured each other's sounds of pleasure. He dug his heels into the mattress, holding her tightly as he began to roughly rock his cock into her.

She pulled away from his mouth, her forehead falling against his as she cried out from the overwhelming pleasure. She felt her toes curling in awe as her muscles began to clench together as she felt her orgasm growing near.

“Fuck, fuck,” He hissed roughly, his breath warm against her cheek as she continued to shake above him. He held her tightly, keeping her in place as his thrusts became faster and more brutal. She felt his cock throbbing inside of her, sending her over the edge, “That’s it baby, taking my cock so good.” He grunted as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

She trembled above him, her orgasm crashing over her as she clamped down around his cock. He continued to mumble and groan, whispering dirty words to her that she couldn’t quite understand from how foggy her brain suddenly felt.

Her arms felt weak as she fell against him, her sweaty chest brushing against his as he pressed into her deeply. His cock slid inside of her, pressing into her to the brim as he came with a loud groan. His spunk painted her walls, filling her with his cum.

She panted against him, shaking a little bit as he rubbed his palms across her backside gently. She whimpered as she rested her cheek against his, trying to get her heart to stop racing. He tilted his head towards her, slowly brushing his lips against her own.

“S’alright?” He questioned between rough spurts of breath. He paused before he kissed the corner of her mouth again, making her giggle softly as she wrinkled her nose up.

“Yeah,” She smiled as her heart continued to flip around inside of her chest, “I’m tired now.” She replied dramatically, squealing at the way he smacked her backside. She wiggled her face into the crook of his neck, enjoying how close they were for once.

“Poor, baby,” He mocked playfully as he continued to rub her sides, “You scared me earlier, you know.” He mumbled as he rubbed his fingers across her spine. She inhaled softly.

“I’m sorry,” She told him truthfully, “I didn’t even think about having my phone on me.” She replied, moving her head further towards his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. He hummed in response.

“I know,” He told her as she continued to listen to the way his heart was moving underneath her ear, “I just want you to be safe.” He mumbled a little softer. She began to wonder what could be so dangerous that he felt like he had to hide it from her. She continued to rest against him, hoping that he wouldn’t be so worried once the case was over.

#Gator TIllman #Gator Tillman x oc #Gator TIllman smut #Gator Tillman x female!OC #Gator Tillman x original character #Gator Tillman x fem!oc #Gator x Daphne #Every Little Thing #Gator Tillman x original female character #Gator Tillman x female original character #Gator Tillman fluff #Gator Tillman fic #Gator Tillman series #Dad!Gator Tillman

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roleplayfinder · 4 months ago

Note

✨🕊️ hi all! im looking for a few different fandoms at the moment. im looking to rp on discord with people who are 18+. i am totally fine with darker plot lines in roleplays, a lot of what im looking for is angst, hurt/comfort, i love it all. of course im totally okay with more gentle stuff like fluff and all that. im generally semi-lit to lit, it honestly ranges and depends on what my rp partner likes to write and what we find to be most comfortable with. im comfortable writing most dead dove topics, and have no triggers.

if we happen to have the same love interest, I don’t mind writing the same character for you in a different thread, or if you want a different fandom, im willing to do research on that fandom if I don’t know it!

fandoms that im looking for are below with the love interests attached:

— Fargo 5: Gator Tillman

— Spree: Kurt Kunkle

— Stranger Things: Steve Harrington

— Non Fandom

- for non fandom, im looking for more horror type plots. i do like to double up so we’re both getting exactly what we’re looking for!

please don’t hesitate to interact with this, and I’ll reach out to you asap! <3

#eighteen and over #fargo 5 #fargo 5 roleplay #fargo 5 rp #spree #spree roleplay #spree rp #stranger things #stranger things roleplay #stranger things rp #horror #fandomless

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findroleplay · 8 months ago

Note

✨🕊️ hi all! im looking for a few different fandoms at the moment. im looking to rp on discord with people who are 18+, as i am 22. i am totally fine with darker plot lines in roleplays, a lot of what im looking for is angst, hurt/comfort, i love it all. of course im totally okay with more gentle stuff like fluff and all that. im generally semi-lit to lit, it honestly ranges and depends on what my rp partner likes to write and what we find to be most comfortable with. im comfortable writing most dead dove topics, and have no triggers.

fandoms that im looking for are below with the love interests attached:

— Fargo 5: Gator Tillman

— Spree: Kurt Kunkle

— Stranger Things: Steve Harrington

— Hazbin Hotel: Alastor and/or Vox

— Non Fandom

- for non fandom, im looking for more horror type plots. i do like to double up so we’re both getting exactly what we’re looking for!

please don’t hesitate to interact with this, and I’ll reach out to you asap! <3

#roleplay #rp #oc rp #original rp #fandomless rp #horror rp #fargo 5 rp #hazbin hotel rp #stranger things rp #spree rp

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wroteclassicaly · 1 year ago

Text

Summary: Left alone in the snow, left to fight for his remaining sanity without his sight - Gator Tillman struggles to adjust to a new normal after being Roy’s son. Who is he? What is his purpose? He’s never had anything that’s his, not until you give him a gift in the form of a little furry boy named Champ, a gift that could very well save his life, but also prove that there’s always been a point to him.

Pairings: Gator Tillman x Female!Reader

Warnings: Language, violence, ptsd, smut, hurt/comfort, blindness, sensory training, mentions traumatic injuries/wound tending, healing, anxiety, panic attacks, Gator has a service doggy, fluff, future smut as the chapters progress, vaginal fingering, oral sex (male and female receiving), anal sex, handjobs, vaginal sex, angst to the max, arguing, tension, slow-burn, somewhat friends turned lovers, and MORE!

~ Coming SOON ~

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yourfavoritewitchbitch · 3 days ago

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Runaway

Part II - Sacrificial Lamb

Previous I Next

Summary: Hold onto the good times, for they never last. A glimpse into the first half of your life and how you came to live at the Tillman ranch. You thought Roy Tillman was your savior, until the dreaded truth comes to light, leaning heavily on Gator as you both try to navigate young adulthood.

CW: This has elements of canon storyline. Heavy content and mature themes. Minimal use of Y/N. Reader is referred to as "Sunshine" and other pet names. Mentions of drug and alcohol use. Reader has a bad home life. Roy Tillman (a cw on his own). Depictions of domestic abuse. Reader is slapped - mentions of bruises. Fighting. Young love. Allusions to underage consensual sex (not explicit). Angst. Trauma bonding. Hurt no comfort. Let me know if I missed anything!

18+ Only! Minors DNI! Heed the warnings!

WC: 12.4K

Lehigh, North Dakota Early Spring 2007

For most kids, sixteen can be a tumultuous time in their lives to begin with but it seemed life had dealt you the losing hand at every turn.

From the moment you drew your first breath, you were doomed by the narrative. Born to drug addict parents moving from place to place or town to town, the only viable options for two people trying to avoid jail time or bad debts, simply dragging you around with them. It was a wonder the two halfwits managed to keep you alive those first few years.

They were smart enough to know they had to settle down before you started Kindergarten and ended up in the middle of Nowhere, North Dakota. They inherited a place from your grandmother who had passed away a few months prior, a single wide trailer that you got to call home for the better part of your childhood. It was a two-bedroom shack barely suitable for one person, let alone three. They grew pot out of the back bedroom, leaving you to sleep on a cot shoved into the corner of the living room.

School became your happy place, a solace from the reality of home. You flourished, despite your odds and loved to read. Books were an escape from reality. Late at night, you hid under the covers with a flashlight reading about princes and faraway kingdoms or of magic beyond your understanding. All manner of fantasy that you wished in some way could be true. You dreamt of your own adventures that would someday lead you miles away from here.

Both your parents had garnered the attention of the local authorities a month after your birthday. The county seized the property due to back taxes and your father took the fall for all the weed landing him a one-way ticket to federal prison. Somehow, they still let your mom keep custody despite her obvious involvement, coupled with the fact that the two of you had nowhere to live.

The two of you lived in and out of dumpy motels in the seedier parts of Lehigh until the day you were caught stealing from the local market where they detained you and called the Sheriff's department.

“Where’s your mom?” Roy Tillman asked with a sigh, looking down at you sitting there in the manager's office of the Piggly Wiggly. He sighed, taking the wide brimmed cowboy hat from his head, laying it on the desk beside him. The local sheriff had more than his fair share of run-ins with your family. He knew your past and your parents all too well.

You shrug instead of answering, pulling at a loose thread at the bottom of your very worn and dirty shirt. One of five you kept on rotation, the rest packed into the backpack on the floor beside you.

You hadn’t seen her in three days after she pawned off the only thing of value that you had left, a gold ring that she had given you a few years prior. It was the last straw, you knew right then and there she didn’t and would never care about you the way a mother should. She was nothing more than a junkie looking for her next fix.

He bent down to your level, fixing you with a sympathetic yet authoritative gaze that made you swallow the lump in your throat when your eyes met his as he asked you again. His presence made you feel uneasy at first, but he was taking his time to talk with you instead of speaking down to you like everyone else had.

“I d– don’t know. Haven’t seen her for a few days.” Your voice came out meek, suddenly feeling small under his domineering gaze, looking away from him.

His eyes narrowed, regarding you for a moment. “How old are you?”

“Si– Sixteen.” Your hangnail was suddenly more interesting, averting your attention as you began to pick at it as you answered.

“A pretty girl your age shouldn’t be out on her own.” He muttered more to himself than to you as he stood back up. “Well, come on now. Get up.”

You reluctantly stood, wary footsteps taking you to your resigned fate as the Sheriff walked you out. Your face was on fire from all the knowing gazes around the store. He tipped his hat to the store manager and led you to his blazer, helping you into the passenger side.

Instead of taking you to jail, to your surprise he took pity on you. For a runaway teen with nowhere else to go, he gave you an offer, an opportunity to live with a normal family and to better yourself. It seemed like a dream come true.

The Tillman's had a nice home on a large ranch with plenty of space to thrive and grow. The spare room was set up for you right next to Roy's teenage sons.

You'd seen Gator at school but coming from different sides of town, the two of you had never spoken. He was popular, played football and was far too pretty for his own good, the epitome of an all-American teenage boy. The kind of young man that parents would love to see their daughter date. Yes sir and yes ma'am were ingrained in his vocabulary. He was perfect and you absolutely hated him.

When you arrived, Roy's wife, Nadine immediately made you feel welcome, soon learning she was his second wife and not Gator's mother. She was younger than you imagined but seemed to be an old soul with her soft spoken and kind nature, advice of all manner at the ready if you asked.

It was church every Sunday and family dinners at night. It didn’t go without rules, but it was the structure and routine you so badly needed.

They gave you some new clothes, a warm, soft bed to sleep in and a roof over your head. You had your own room, a private sanctuary all to yourself. When you laid your head down on the feather pillow that night, you hoped that you wouldn't have to leave anytime soon. It was the first time in a long time you felt safe.

Gator completely ignored your presence for the first couple of days, until he couldn't. Roy had told him it was his duty to show you around the ranch and teach you various chores you would be doing, in his words, to “earn your keep.”

“You're still doing it wrong.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he crossed the stall, bootsteps heavy, grabbing the shovel roughly out of your hands. You'd grown accustomed to the frown gracing his handsome features that he most often wore around you, as if it caused him physical pain to be in your presence.

Your hands were beginning to blister, it was hot, and the barn smelled well, like a barn. It was a strong mixture of manure, hay and earth.

“You need to use more force. Here.” He demonstrates again, working across the old barnwood floor. He wore a crisp white shirt that showed off the lean muscle of his arms and shoulders as he moved, tucked into his tight-fitting Wranglers. His green cap was situated backwards, per usual, unless the sun was directly in his face. If you weren’t so annoyed you might have appreciated how good he looked, but in your current state it just infuriated you further.

He stops midway, an exhausted look replacing the frown when he hears your huff, turning his head in time to see your eyes roll, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Aren't you just a ray of fuckin' sunshine.” He scoffs, moving the shovel upright resting his hands on the end.

“Think you're too good for shovelin’ horse shit? Hmm? That it?” He spat.

Your brows furrowed at his attempt at an insult, insinuating that he knew anything about your life. Rich, coming from a boy that grew up in a house where he never had to want for anything.

“No asshole, it's your bullshit I can't stand. You think you know anything about me? You don't know shit!” There was a fiery defiance in your eyes as you spoke but there was something else there. Something raw and vulnerable he couldn't quite put his finger on.

His brows furrowed at the sudden outburst; another venomous laced comment was on the tip of his tongue, but he thought better of it at the last second. He knew the heavy hand that ruled the ranch would tan his hide if he didn't show you how to do the rest of the chores, so he sighed and tried a different approach.

“Look, I'm tryin’ to help ya’ out. Roy he… he expects things to be done proper ‘round here. So just… can ya’ at least try?” He finally asks, with an almost pleading look. If only you'd known then, in his own way, he was already trying to warn you.

For the first time, his words seemed genuine, without the usual disdain. Warily, you narrowed your gaze but finally dropped your arms to your sides in a more relaxed, less defensive position.

“Yeah.” You nod, already reaching for the shovel to start again, this time doing it exactly as he had instructed instead of half-assing it just to spite him.

“There ya’ go, Sunshine. Gettin' the hang of it now.” He grins, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. You couldn't help the small smile that lifted the edges of your lips at the little nickname that suddenly didn't seem so condescending.

The rest of the day went much smoother. It seemed you finally had a small understanding while he showed you around the property demonstrating how to complete the other various chores that you and he would be sharing.

His thorny shell melted just a little more, as you began to warm up to him. He even cracked a couple of jokes and tried to make you laugh as the day waned. He could be crude and rough around the edges but there was something else there, a glimpse of his boyish charm in the gentle way he spoke to you.

It was quiet out as the day began to wind down. The sun was setting over the horizon while you finished brushing the horses. You had been chatting about nothing and everything as the last rays fanned out across the barn bathing you both with its warmth. When he looked at you, his hazel eyes caught the light just right, making the usual brown tones burst with greens and golds.

When you stared at him a beat too long, his lips curled with that cocky, crooked grin that made a faint blush warm your cheeks before you quickly looked away and cleared your throat. He huffed a small chuckle but didn’t say anything, keeping that genuine smile, a true rarity you would come to find out in the coming weeks around the Tillman ranch.

Each evening you all sat down to have supper together. Prayers were said before each meal while you all held hands, a family tradition you weren’t accustomed to. Roy was at the head of the table with Nadine to his left and Gator to his right, and you seated next to the aloof boy.

It was the same every time, he begrudgingly took your hand and dropped it as if your touch was searing to his skin. You weren't sure what you had done to offend him so vehemently, especially since the two of you had finally been getting along so well.

The dinner table was where the ugly truth began to seep into this painted reality a mere two weeks after you had come to live with them.

Report cards were just released and Roy asked Gator why his grades were slipping while serving himself another helping of mashed potatoes.

“I don't know, school’s hard sometimes. I—” he began but Roy quickly cut him off.

“Schools hard? That's all you have to say for yourself?” Raising his voice before his hands came down against the table making everyone jump.

“Roy,” Nadine's mild-mannered voice cut in, but he held up his hand to silence her, making her mouth snap shut.

“Dad it's—”

“Gator, school is going to be the easiest thing you ever have to do. Get your grades up. Or. Else.” He pointed a finger at him. “You have the Tillman name to uphold, and you will not make a fool of me. Understood?”

He nodded, forking at the food on his plate but that wasn't enough for the elder man.

“Is that understood?” Leaning slightly into his space with a stone-cold look to his eye.

“Yes, sir.” The younger boy replied a little more sheepishly.

You watched the entire interaction unfold while keeping your own head down, trying to stay calm, watching as Nadine's eyes bounced between the two like she was waiting for something to happen. You immediately lost your appetite, asking to be dismissed from the table a few minutes later, thankful Roy obliged without any objections.

Late that same night, you were startled awake by the sound of glass breaking followed by muffled shouting and cries. You clung to the sheets and pulled them up, covering your head. It became the startling realization you had traded one abusive home only to be stuck in another. The perfect facade that was the Tillman home began to crack, showing all the festering secrets and lies in one fell swoop.

As you lay there, a soft knock came at the door, but you didn't move, too afraid to open your eyes until his hushed voice cut through the dark as he poked his head in.

“Hey, Y/N, are you awake?” Gator whispered out soft and timid, as the shouting and cries were slowly fading out. When you say nothing, he sighs, slowly pulling it closed on creaking hinges.

“Wait!” You whisper, making him stop. “Wh—what do you want?”

He pauses, watching as you carefully lower the covers, your sleep mussed hair popping into view before your wide, frightened eyes catch his.

“Can I come in?” He asks, hand still poised on the handle. He seemed small standing there in his grey joggers and tight-fitting tee, shifting slightly on bare feet waiting for you to answer.

You nod, not seeing him as a threat but kept your guard up, giving him a puzzled sort of look as you sit up.

He takes another look back out into the hall before quietly tiptoeing in and softly shutting the door behind him, crossing the room to the edge of the bed taking a seat at the end of it. He stays silent a moment longer, as if trying to figure out what to say.

“Why'd you come here?” He finally asks, with a hint of frustration, trying to keep it no louder than a whisper.

“I didn't have a choice.” You shrug, eyes flitting down to the worn comforter. “Dads in jail, mom didn't want me. Your dad said I could stay here that I— I'd be safe.”

Recounting the small conversation Roy had with you, it was either come here or spend the rest of your teenage years in juvie or foster care. It had seemed like a no-brainer.

“Yeah… Safe.” He scoffs. “Not everythin’ is sunshine and rainbows.”

You stared at him in disbelief for a moment, tears threatening to spill over your lash line.

“You don’t think I know that?” It came out a little breathless and high pitched, a little louder than you intended, unable to hide your emotion. “I should be used to bullshit by now.”

He gulped, not expecting the sudden reaction from you, firmly holding your gaze as his lips part but nothing comes out.

You think he's about to leave, head swiveling to the door as he sighs, then looking back to you through the dim light.

“Just try to stay out o’ trouble. Keep your head down and try not to piss off the old man.” He settles on.

There was a hint of something you couldn’t quite discern in his actions and words. Was he worried about you? He oozed a sort of macho bravado but here in this room, he slowly began to show a little more of himself. A teenager, just like you, trying to find his way in the world.

“Yeah,” you agree, unsure of what else to say.

“I better go. Ya’ gonna be okay?” He mumbled quietly, with a sweet sincerity to his question, rising from the bed to take his leave.

You nod, even though you didn’t feel okay, prompting him to nod back before he shuffled back out into the hall, leaving you alone once more. All the shouting had finally stopped, leaving the faint murmuring of the TV drifting from the room down the hall. The safety you had felt was gone, leaving you to question if there was truly any good left in the world. A question a sixteen-year-old shouldn’t have to worry about.

Something else happened that night. It was the first time Gator Tillman ever let someone see him in a different light. This compassionate, caring side he kept hidden away was vastly overshadowed by this continuous need for acceptance and love from his father, bringing out the worst side of him.

He had taken note of how strong willed you were, with a fiery, no bullshit nature that immediately drew him in. These attributes were also what worried him. The ranch had never been kind to those unwilling to fall in line and do as they were told.

Maybe it was the way you looked up at him, eyes shining on the verge of tears or despite yourself, he knew you would never stay out of trouble. You were only a couple of months younger than him, but he knew all too well what happened the last time Roy had brought someone he deemed a “throwaway” home. She became his stepmother after his own mother disappeared. Roy had an affinity for the young and pliable. The mere thought disgusted him. Gator feared the worst and was hit with an unwavering need to protect you.

The next morning an eerie sort of quiet hung over everyone at breakfast as Nadine, sporting a new black eye, sat everything down at the table. You couldn't help but stare at the state she was in, fragile and avoiding any sort of direct eye contact. Roy and Nadine both acted as if everything was business as usual, prompting you and Gator to do the same.

As horrid as it was, it didn’t take long to get used to seeing her bruised or battered in some way or another. As mild mannered and quiet as she seemed, she had a sharp tongue and wit that Roy didn’t take kindly to. This cycle became your new normal. You didn’t want to turn a blind eye, but given your situation, you had no alternative.

Life at the ranch aside, Gator suddenly didn't make it a point to ignore you so much, even going out of his way at school for a chat here and there or eating lunch with you.

The world didn't seem so lonely anymore, until a few weeks later when it was decided you would be homeschooled.

“Homeschooled, sir?” You asked puzzled as you set your fork back down to your plate, your heart suddenly began hammering in your chest. Gator's gaze briefly caught yours trying to communicate a warning glare, which you chose to ignore.

“Yes, Y/N. Nadine can show you the basics and you can better keep up with your chores during the day. I can teach you the more advanced curriculum when I get home in the afternoons.” He said, shoving a fork full of food into his mouth as if this would be the end of the conversation.

“I make good grades. I would rather stay in school. I want to try to go to col—”

“Y/N!” His gruff voice cut you off. “As long as you're under my roof you'll abide by my rules. The women in this family are homeschooled.”

“You can't make that decision for me! You are not my father!” You suddenly burst out feeling as though the air were suddenly sucked from the room. Nadine's gaze shifted from you back to Roy as Gator held his breath. It just wasn’t in your nature to back down from something you felt so passionately about. School had ALWAYS been your outlet.

Roy remained stoic, swallowing his food and wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin before turning and giving you his full attention, eyes dark as he trained them directly on you.

“Let's get one thing straight, your parents don't give a damn about you. If it weren't for me, you'd either be in the street or worse, God forbid. You're going to start showing a little gratitude! By law, I am your legal guardian, and I decide what’s in your best interest.” He pauses, watching your reaction.

You swallowed the lump in your throat, tears threatening to spill at your lash line as he smirked.

“You will be homeschooled starting tomorrow and I don't want to hear another goddamn word about it! You should be thanking me, you little ungrateful brat!” He spat, picking up his fork once more, returning to his meal, uncaring if you had a retort.

“Dad,” Gator suddenly spoke up, as hot tears spilled silently down your cheeks, casting your face toward the table.

“What is it son?” He asked, without looking up at the boy.

“If Y/N wants to go to school, I can keep an eye out on her. Make sure no one bothers her.” He shrugs, trying to keep his voice even.

“Did you not hear what I just said?” He harshly smacks the back of his head with a thump that makes you jump slightly. “Eat your food. My decision is final.”

The rest of the dinner was finished in tense silence until Roy got up to retire to his study for the evening. Gator went outside to finish the rest of his chores and you helped Nadine put away the leftovers and wash the dishes as you sniffed and tried to hold back your remaining tears the entire time.

She looked at you with sympathy, but didn’t try to make conversation.

You laid in bed that night staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep as the grim truth of the situation weighed on you. There was no shouting or cries that night, just cold silence and a reality you didn't want to face.

Pulling the covers back, you silently slipped from bed and out into the hall listening for any other sounds. The TV played in Roy and Nadine's room, hopefully covering any miniscule noises from you, tiptoeing down the hall, avoiding the creaks in the floorboards you had come to memorize.

You slowly turned the handle to Gator's room and opened the door enough to squeeze in as he shot up in bed.

“What're ya’ doing in here?” He hissed, voice groggy and sleep ladened, rubbing his eye with the back of his hand as he sat up.

You came in here to thank him for speaking up earlier but suddenly you couldn't say anything, your voice caught in your throat as you began to cry.

“Shit, hey.” He rose from his bed and quickly crossed his room over to you, hesitantly placing an arm around your shoulders. The warmth of physical touch you hadn’t felt in so long, melting almost instantly into his side. He wasn’t one to show his affection, hell he could barely remember the last time someone hugged him. It must have been his momma, he thought fondly, before shoving that back down.

He led you over to the bed and sat you both down, the springs squeaking slightly in protest. He sits in silence, listening to you, unsure of what to say to bring you some sense of comfort.

“Gator?” You finally ask, wiping your nose with the back of your hand.

“Yeah?” His eyes trained on the side of your face, his hand itching to reach up and help wipe away your tears.

“Can I stay in here tonight?” You ask timidly, turning your head to look up at him.

“In— in my bed?” He swallows thickly, contemplating just how bad he'd get his ass beat if Roy happened to walk in here, as you nod.

You see his hesitation and the way his eyes move back toward the door.

“I'll leave before he wakes up. I just don't want to be alone tonight. Please.” The words slipped from your mouth as if you read his mind.

The way you looked up at him, all doe eyes and pouty lips, he couldn't deny you. It would be hard to ever tell you no. Even with tear-stained cheeks and a runny nose you were devastatingly pretty to him.

“Yeah, yeah.” He nods quickly, standing up. “I can sleep on the floor.”

“No, please. There's enough room, I'll scoot over.” Saying as you lay down, moving over to the other side as close to the edge as possible, pulling the comforter over you.

“Yeah, ok.” He sighs, nervously sliding in beside you, laying on his back looking up toward the ceiling.

“Thank you.” You meekly spoke leaning up to give him a small kiss on the cheek, your lips leaving his skin abuzz, before turning over to face the wall.

The two of you fell silent, unsure if anything further needed to be said as your eyelids grow heavy, finding solace in his presence. He listened for a while until your breathing evened out as you drifted off to sleep.

He eventually followed, only jolted from a deep slumber when he heard Roy's fists banging on the door the next morning.

“Gator, get your ass up! Don't make me come back up here!” He yelled through the door.

His initial reaction was to look for you, but the other side of the bed was empty, he sighed. The only reminder of your presence was the lingering scent of your shampoo filing his lungs as he rolled over on the pillow you had laid on only an hour before.

Homeschool consisted of mainly taking care of the house, the only real curriculum you received was, as Roy had promised, with him late in the afternoons.

He wasn't kind nor patient, quickly growing frustrated with your attitude and unwillingness to comply. It's not that you didn't mind learning new skills, but this wasn't what you wanted to do. It was boring and, in your mind, useless.

It only took a few days for him to reach a boiling point.

“Y/N! Answer the damn question.” He gritted out between clenched teeth, his growing frustration mounting.

“I don't know the answer.” You shrugged, refusing to look him in the eye.

His hulking form came around the desk, grabbing your chin forcefully making you look up at him.

“Stop being so fuckin' difficult! Either fall in line, or I will make you fall in line.” His voice was strained, showing just how tired and weary he had grown of your behavior.

You stayed silent but met his gaze, determined to not back down. That very defiance would be your downfall.

It was the first time you felt the cruelty of his touch as the back of his hand met your cheek with a sharp, resounding smack. It had happened so suddenly; it left you stunned.

A searing heat flooded the side of your face, your eyes instantly welled with tears as you shot up from the chair, running from the room and out the back door. He watched, unmoving, letting you go.

You didn’t think. You just needed to run. Your bare feet carried you across the field, uncaring of how the uneven earth beneath you prodded and poked at your soles. The barn would reveal a good hiding spot, crawling into a small space concealed by hay. With your knees pulled into your chest you cried long and hard into the evening.

At some point you fell asleep, only rousing when you heard Gator yelling your name. You softly stirred, stretching your achy muscles.

“Gator?” You called out, your voice tired and scratchy.

“Y/N? Where the hell are ya’? Everybody's been lookin’ for ya’.” He replied, coming around the corner to see you wedged into your hiding spot.

“Jesus, it's fuckin’ freezin’ out here. What're you—” His heart dropped, as he shined his flashlight over in your direction taking in your disheveled appearance and the welt across your cheek.

His fists were clenched at his sides, anger bubbling up as he watched you crawl toward him, face tear streaked and puffy. He knelt down beside you, hesitantly bringing his hand up to brush the hair from your face as you closed your eyes. It was tender, careful not to aggravate the raised skin. The touch sending a shiver down your spine despite your current state.

“I shouldn't have talked back.” You murmured, barely above a whisper, as Gator's warnings from days earlier to stay out of trouble rolled to the forefront of your mind.

He nods in understanding, eyes flitting away from you, unsure of his own voice, dropping his hand back down.

“We have to get ya’ back to the house. I— Everyone's been worried sick.” He states, standing back up to shed his jacket.

He takes your hand as you stand on wobbly legs, making sure you’re steady before wrapping his coat around your shoulders. You lean on him, with his arm securely around your waist as you make the small trek back up to the house.

You're grateful the kitchen is empty when you enter.

“He got called away.” He commented as if knowing exactly what you were thinking. “Nadine left ya’ a plate in the microwave. Go sit down.” Nodding toward the table.

You sat quietly, watching as he heated your supper before setting it down and taking the seat across from you.

Gator watched as you ate a few bites and placed your fork back down.

“M’not very hungry.” You mumbled, regarding him for a moment.

Gator was an enigma. He was sweet but guarded and blindly loyal to his father in a way that made him dangerous, craving his approval so deeply that he would do anything to gain it. It left you wondering why he would help you knowing he would most likely get himself into trouble.

“Can I stay in your bed tonight?” You asked, catching him off guard.

“Hey,” he whispered, suddenly looking around the room and down the hall. “Keep that between us.” He hissed, and added “that's probably not a good idea. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay.” You look away, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “I'm going to take a shower.”

You stood from the chair so quickly, he didn't have time to respond, watching you leave and climb the stairs before muttering to himself what an idiot he was.

He made his way to his room, passing the bathroom on the way, pausing in front of the door for a moment listening to the water run. He silently berated himself again before retiring to his bedroom.

He tried to sleep, but it eluded him, tossing and turning most of the night. Just before 11 pm he heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall, as he heard your bedroom door creak open and a few seconds later shut.

Roy was finally home.

He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep as his door swung open slightly before it closed shut once more.

He waited another half hour before slipping out from the warmth and silently taking the few steps over to your door, making sure he wasn't making a sound before slowly opening it.

You were turned away, facing the window as he tiptoed further into the room, assuming you were asleep he thought about turning back around but then you whispered his name and turned over toward him.

“Hey. Still want some company?” He grinned, even if you couldn't make it out in the dark.

“Yeah.” You sighed, scooting over to make room for him. He crawled in beside you a little closer than the few days before.

You both laid on your backs, not saying anything for a few minutes. The silence was comfortable; happy to just be in the presence of someone else who understood.

“We need to get out of here.” Whispering, with your gaze set firmly to the ceiling. You hadn’t intended to say “we”, but it had slipped out so easily. Neither of you deserved the life that was being laid out before you.

“We can't.” He sighs, feeling your sudden hopelessness. “But I'll take care of you.”

He feels a little wave of confidence, his hand moving toward you. His pinky brushes yours, sending goosebumps across your flesh as you turn your head toward him.

“How?”

He turns his head at your question, meeting your eyes as his hand glides over the top of yours, resting there a moment before taking him by surprise when you suddenly turn your palm, threading your slender fingers through his. His palm was calloused but warm and comforting, his hand easily dwarfing your own.

“I'll keep you safe.” The only words he could think to say. He didn't know how to keep you from Roy entirely, but he knew he had time to think. You wouldn't turn eighteen for a while yet.

He kept the rest of those thoughts to himself. He had time.

After that night, you decided to stay quiet around Roy and do your lessons without any resistance. Things began to go a lot smoother around the Tillman ranch.

Weeks turned into months without another incident or hand raised against you and every night you would take turns sneaking into each other's rooms taking comfort and solace in the presence of one another.

Gator turned seventeen and was gifted a shiny new truck. He began spending less time at home but always found his way back to you at night under the cover of darkness until an idea struck him.

“It's too dangerous.” You giggled.

“And this isn't?” He laughed along with you. “If Roy walks in here and sees us under the covers, he'd skin me alive and probably burn you at the stake.”

You shake your head, burying your face in the pillow.

“Come on, just this one time and I won't say another word ‘bout it. I'll drive us down to the lake. Be back before anyone knows it.” He gives you his best puppy dog eyes. “Please?”

“Gatorrrrrr.” You whine. “Don't give me that look.”

He pouts further, jutting his lower lip out.

“Okay.” You whisper, finally giving into his antics.

“Yeah?” His eyes light up at the prospect, a grin lifting the edges of his lips.

“Yeah,” you nod. “Okay!”

He gave you instructions to change and meet him outside in ten minutes before he left your room. It had luckily been a night Roy had a little too much to drink and would hopefully be out cold until morning.

You held your breath as you tiptoed down the hall, looking back only once before descending the stairs and quietly heading out the back door, feeling a rush of relief with the fresh air.

As you slowly closed the door, you felt arms wrap around your waist, a shiver traveling down your spine, as he whispered “gotcha” close to your ear, his hot breath tickling your cheek.

“Ready darlin?” He hums, still close, obviously no idea what his warm body pressed up against yours was doing to you as you turn to face him, his grip loosening.

“Yeah, let's go.” You smile, mirroring his. He slips his hand into yours as you race off the porch running the short distance to his truck, jumping in quickly before slowly rolling down the long drive without the lights on until you made it to the main highway.

Your heart was racing, looking back in the mirror as the old farmhouse grows smaller until it's finally out of sight.

He steals small glances at you when you aren't looking, admiring the non-stop smile gracing your face but he could tell you were nervous. You were far too quiet.

If only he could read your mind, it would have made this a lot easier. You weren't nervous because of sneaking out or even the chance of being caught. It was him. He made you nervous, in the best way.

You're not sure when it happened, those innocent late-night chats turning into a little bit more. Soft touches and scooting closer to one another. You sought comfort and found it in him.

“It's not far. We'll be back before no one knows we're missin’. Promise.” He states, grinning back over to you, trying to quell your nerves as his fingers fiddled with the radio before Patsy Cline’s “She's Got You” faintly played through the speakers.

“Patsy Cline?” You ask, with a quirk of your brow, expecting something, anything other than that.

“She was my momma's favorite.” He shrugged, as if mentioning her was no big deal, keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

No one ever talked about Linda, even though her picture was still hung in the hallway nestled right alongside Nadine and Roy's wedding photo, it seemed like it was still a touchy subject in the Tillman household.

“She was pretty.” You said quietly. His gaze flicked quickly to you and back to the road before he left out a heavy sigh.

“Yeah, she was.” He replied solemnly, giving away the hint of nostalgia he was feeling.

You nodded, looking back out the window, thinking the conversation was over until he cleared his throat to speak up again.

“She would play Patsy when I was little, when it was just the two of us.” A fond smile played on his lips before he continued. “Sometimes we'd dance around the kitchen while she was cooking. I– I miss her.” He could picture it now, the old turntable softly filling the small kitchen with Patsy’s voice as he danced with her. His small feet on top of hers as she moved them both around the room. Her smile and laughter were infectious, making his eyes sparkle with childhood delight.

A few beats of silence passed before you finally asked, “where is she?”

“Don't know.” He shrugs again, but the pain was evident in his voice. “Figure she got tired of the way dad— uh, she just left.”

“I'm sorry, Gator.” You reply, as he scoffs slightly, making you look back up at him.

“What're you sorry for? She was a grown woman. She made her choice.” He spat out.

“I know that. I'm sorry you had to go through it.” You slowly place your hand to his forearm, your touch both electrifying and soothing to him.

“Sorry, I— shouldn't've… it's not your fault.” He sputters, feeling remorseful for the harsh tone. He thought of his mother often but never spoke of her aloud. It was a nice change to speak so freely without any repercussions. Her records were still at the house, tucked away in the bottom of his closet. Roy wouldn’t allow them to be played after she was gone.

“It's okay.” Your touch lingers momentarily as the song finally comes to an end. Pulling your hand away and settling back into the passenger seat, the moment passing between the two of you. Each passing moment you learned a little more about this boy, peeling back the layers of his complex life.

He turned down a small road off the highway, pavement giving way to gravel as it got a little bumpier.

“You come here often?” Asking, as you take in his profile, he had gotten a little taller over the spring and summer, lean muscle on display under his tight shirt.

“Sometimes. Guys on the football team bring their gir—” he clears his throat. “Uh, they have parties here.”

“They bring their girlfriends here?” Smirking at his abrupt change in phrasing.

“Uh, yeah, it— it's a nice spot to, I dunno. Relax, I guess.” He shrugs trying to downplay his own embarrassment.

“Sounds nice.” You say quietly, looking back out the window.

The gravel eventually turns into a dirt road as he slows down further to navigate the dips and ruts before a clearing comes into view up ahead. The moon is large and sparkling against the water below as he moves close to the shore.

He throws it in park, as you jump out of the truck without another thought, laughing out into the clear night.

“Hey, damnit!” He yells out. “Wait for me!”

You're already bolting across the shore, toeing your shoes off and letting the water lap at your ankles as he strides up beside you. So caught up in the sound of your laughter he can't bring himself to scold you for running off.

“It's so pretty!” You say, smiling out at the water.

“Yeah,” he whispers, staring at you instead. He takes in your features and the unadulterated bliss, as he thinks that he’s never seen you this happy since coming to the ranch. If he could do more, he would, but this is the best given your circumstances.

“We could come out here again, maybe try to sneak away once a week? I know I said I wouldn't ask again but—”

“Really?” You asked, looking up at him with excitement, but still feeling hesitant to get your hopes up. Roy rarely lets you leave the ranch, just the occasional trip with Nadine to the grocery store.

He nods, pulling a pack of smokes out of his pocket, along with a Zippo as your eyes follow his movements.

“You smoke?” Questioning with a raise of your brow toward him.

“Sometimes. Want one?” He offers, holding the pack up but you shake your head. He shrugs, taking one and placing it between his lips, lighting it with ease as if he'd done it a thousand times before.

His cheeks hollow as he inhales, the end glowing cherry red between you. He smirks when he sees you watching him so intently.

“Come on, let's go sit.” Nodding his head toward a downed tree not far behind you, as you follow reluctantly leaving the water.

You sit beside him, suddenly growing a little anxious. The sounds of water lapping at the shore and the crickets filling the silence. It felt right. This is what you should be doing, living outside of that invisible barrier that has been placed in your way.

The rules you now have to follow make it impossible to be a normal teenager. For just a little while, you could pretend you were on a date with a boy you liked. Nothing more.

Your toes dig at the soft sand below your feet, before gaining the courage to speak again.

“Gator, is this a date?”

He chokes, inhaling roughly and coughing before sputtering out a hoarse, “What?!”

“A date. When a guy likes a girl, he asks her to go out and they—” You start to explain.

“Fuck, I know what a date is. This," he gestures between you, "ain't that. I just thought ya’ wanted to get out of the house, s’all.” He huffs, extinguishing the rest of his cigarette on the roughened wood beside him.

You nod, quickly looking away, a little saddened by his curt response.

He immediately noticed your face fall, silently cursing himself for saying the first damn thing that came to mind.

“I mean, is that— did ya’ want this to be a date?” He quickly recovers.

“I don't know.” Shrugging, still looking away, the water was suddenly much more interesting, as the heat in your cheeks became too much.

He wasn't sure what to say. Did you want this to be a date? Did he?

Other guys his age went on dates and had girlfriends. He often wondered if he was the oddball ignoring the advances of his peers. None of the girls at school ever drew his attention like you did. You were just there. A friend and someone he longed to be around. Those hushed conversations late at night were what he looked forward to the most each day, when he really felt like himself.

Should he ask you on a date, even though you live together under the same roof? He knew it was fucked up but in some odd way, he felt like you were already his.

He grew too quiet, lost in his own thoughts and it felt like the silence was too deafening, so you stood up and began to pull your shirt up over your head.

“What the hell are yo–” his jaw dropped when your hand drifted to your shorts and popped the button as they slid down your bare legs. Your back was to him, standing there in nothing but your underwear. Sure, he'd seen a lot of your skin but not like this.

“Y/N! Put your damn clothes back on!” He hissed out, trying to look anywhere else.

“We're at the lake, Gator! I want to swim!” You yelled back, suddenly sprinting for the water.

“Jesus Christ!” He muttered, watching you dive headfirst into the lake and disappearing briefly before your head popped back up.

“Are you trying to give me a goddamn heart attack?” He yelled, with no real malice. His next words dying on his tongue as he watched you from the shore, the moonlight glistening over your soft skin making you appear like some ethereal creature from a storybook.

“Gator! Come swim with me!” You yelled, looking back toward him standing there on the shore.

Who was he to deny you? He toed off his sneakers and unbuttoned his pants in haste, looking down to realize he had worn his briefs instead of his boxer shorts. Shit. Heat creeped up his cheeks thinking of you seeing him in so little.

He pauses a moment, before he hears you call his name again, finally releasing a heavy sigh, he finishes unzipping his jeans and letting them pool at his feet before removing his shirt and pulling off his socks.

“Comin’ Sunshine!” He finally calls back, taking a deep breath, before diving in after you.

When he surfaces, he's met with silence. His head swivels as he turns in the water to catch a glimpse of where you might be.

“Y/N?!” He yells, already frantic as a spike of panic sets in. “Y/N?!” He shouts a little louder this time.

He suddenly hears a splash right beside him as your hands grab his shoulder and head, surprising him as you push him under the water with a loud laugh.

Once he resurfaces, he instantly wraps his arms around your waist, pulling your back into his chest as you let out a scream and start laughing once more.

“You're such a little shit!” He shouts, still trying to catch his breath but your laughter is too contagious to feel any real anger toward you.

“Your turn!” He shouts before you feel him start to drag you backward with him. You hold your breath, as the water closes in around you, enveloping you both in her cool embrace. His grip loosening for you to float back up.

You're both laughing, trying to catch your breaths, opening your eyes to him already looking at you with a big lopsided grin that you've come to feel he only reserves for you. The laughter quietly subsides as you continue to stare at each other.

The moon is big and bright, almost full but not quite, providing enough light to take everything in as you silently begin to drift around him, your fingertips dragging across his back, causing goosebumps to rise in their wake.

He freezes at the contact, making something stir deep within him. There's something in your gaze that makes him nervous, it's soft and warm. No one's ever looked at him with such kindness and admiration.

“What— what're ya doin’?” He finally asks, trying to hide the small tremble in his voice.

“Just swimming…” You giggle, moving back directly in front of him, your feet finding the lake bottom to stand in the chest deep water.

“Yeah, but why’re ya lookin’ at me like that?” His voice cracks at the end, giving away his nerves, despite trying to keep his cool.

“Like what, Gator?” You tilt your head, playing dumb, trying to let him make the first move. You'd been dreaming about your first kiss, hoping and praying it would be with him. This was the first chance you'd had actually getting him alone, free from worry or prying eyes. Was he really that clueless?

“Like— like that.” He sputters, feeling a slight mixture of annoyance and something, he couldn't quite discern.

“I don't know.” Shrugging and looking away, suddenly feeling embarrassed as doubt began to creep in.

He notices the expression that crosses your face and suddenly it clicks for him. You begin to slowly ease back into the water, about to dive back in when he softly grabs your wrist.

“Wait! Just— wait a sec.” He holds firm, pulling you a little closer to him. “I'm an idiot, okay.”

Your eyes turn back to his face. He's grinning, unable to contain it at this point but you don't say anything. His eyes flit across your face, down to your lips and back up.

“You still want this to be a date?” He asks, voice a little huskier than before. He kissed Becky Mitchell behind the bleachers last fall to see what all the fuss was about, so he knew what to do, but he was suddenly a little anxious, because he wants so badly to see what it's like with you. Would it be different? Would it feel different?

“Um… yeah, I'd like that.” You nod.

You aren't sure what to do, as he begins to crowd into your space, your heart beating wildly at the thought of what might come next. He releases your wrist to place his hand on your hip, fingers splayed across your soft skin pulling you even closer.

“Gator?” You hesitantly ask, searching his face.

“Yeah?” His grip grew a little tighter in response, his free hand timidly coming to your waist, fingertips dancing at your ribs causing a shiver to travel down your spine.

“I— I'm nervous.” You say, a little breathless.

“Don't be, s’just me.” Finally finding a hint of his feigned confidence as his tongue darts out to wet his lips, trying to hide the truth. He thought his heart might explode out of his chest at any moment, wondering if you could hear the rhythmic beat with how wildly it was thumping against his ribs.

You nod, as your words fail you, gasping, as your bodies finally brush and meet underwater, pressed chest to chest. He's warm and firm, your hands finding their way up his body to wrap your arms around his neck.

It's like time stops, the world ceases to exist around you as he closes the distance, and his lips finally meet yours. They were soft but a little chapped, not that you gave it much thought because you were trying to keep your nerves at bay.

It's a soft peck, then another. It's a little messy at first, timid and unknowing but then he tilts his head slightly, lifting his hand to cradle your jaw as his lips glide against yours. You let him take the lead, unsure of yourself but the feeling of him against you makes your head feel dizzy, closing your eyes against the onslaught of sensations running rampant.

His tongue sweeps across the seam of your lips, begging for entry. A small, involuntary noise emanates from the back of your throat as they part for him.

You try to pull him a little closer, as he does the same, his tongue darting out, and then a little further licking into your mouth meeting yours in a messy crescendo. He tastes of nicotine and something faintly sweet and what you could only describe as inherently Gator. A low groan passes his lips as you swallow and savor the sound.

Your lungs are on fire, aching and pleading for you to come up for air but you don't want the moment to end. For the first time in your life, you feel alive. Your body is electrified, senses on high alert, as your tummy does somersaults.

A few more seconds and he's the one to finally break, pulling away, breath heaving as he lowers his forehead to yours. Your eyes open to his, the hazel irises barely a faint ring around his dark pupils. The waves softly move around you, finally reminding you where the two of you still are, his body pressed firmly to yours and you're suddenly all too aware how exposed you feel.

Shyness creeps slowly back under your skin and you want to crawl away, duck back into the water so he can't see you.

You grin, pulling out of his reach to dive back in, leaving him there gawking back at the ripples you’ve left behind with a groan. He's very aware of the effect you have on him and his body as he tries to discreetly readjust himself.

He begrudgingly makes his way back to the shoreline so he can get dressed. It was getting late, and you needed to get back home before the sun came up.

He slides his jeans on, eyes still watching you move through the water.

“Come on! We gotta get home!” He calls out.

Sighing, you finally start to remove yourself from the water, not yet ready for the night to end but it was inevitable.

He turns away as your body is slowly revealed, feeling like he should show you some sort of privacy. He throws his shirt back on and walks back to the truck to wait on you.

A few minutes later, the passenger door swings open as you get in with sopping wet hair and clothes sticking to your still damp skin, but he thinks you're the prettiest thing he's ever seen.

It was a quiet ride back, neither of you quite knowing what to say. He cuts the lights and slows down as he pulls back into the drive, just as you had left, parking a little further away so the roar of the engine wouldn’t wake anyone.

You both silently exit the truck, making your way up to the house. Once you enter, the air is still, no sounds of people yet stirring as you breathe a small sigh of relief.

He's right behind you, tiptoeing up the stairs, and then down the hall, a warm hand to the small of your back as he reluctantly stops at your bedroom door.

You don't turn around, hand poised on the handle as he leans in, whispering in your ear. “I hope you had fun. Goodnight, Sunshine.” With a hum, he presses a small parting kiss to your temple before you open the door and slip in. You hear his own door open and softly close a few moments later.

You exchange your wet clothes for a soft nightgown, laying back on the feather pillow as the kiss you’d shared plays over and over again in your head. There was a permanent smile etched across your face, making your cheeks faintly hurt from overuse. A warmth was blooming deep inside your chest. You’d had your fair share of crushes, but there was no doubt in your mind this must be what it felt like to be falling in love.

A few weeks passed, along with a few more stolen kisses and sneaking out at midnight.

At home, you didn’t spend much time together, trying to avoid suspicion from either Roy or Nadine.

The days were filled with summer chores and nights spent hidden away in each other's beds. You enjoyed kissing him, you were happy but sometimes there was a need for more; a longing and desire you couldn’t quite satiate.

He was currently situated beside you, upper body pressed into yours as his weight pushed you further into his mattress. Your lips languidly moved against his, before his mouth began to drift across your jaw and down your neck. The ache pooling deep in your lower belly was reaching a fever pitch.

“Gator?” You ask, timidly, with your eyes still firmly shut, relishing his soft kisses across your skin.

“Hmm? Yeah?” He asks, pulling back to study your face.

“I… feel like I need more.” You blurt out, covering your face with your hands.

He groans, knowing where this conversation was headed, lifting himself off you and laying back against his pillow as you turn to your side. With a heavy sigh he replies, “We can’t.” Keeping his eyes fixed firmly toward the ceiling.

“Why not? I– I want you to be my first.” You quietly admit.

“Christ.” He mutters, raking a hand down his face, trying to choose his words carefully. He couldn’t deny his own need but this was new territory for the both of you.

“Is that— what ya’ want? Ya’ want me to—?” He can barely get his question out without stumbling over his words as he reluctantly meets your gaze. He knows you shouldn't. If Roy ever found out, he'd probably kill the both of you but he didn’t want to think about the consequences. Not when you were looking at him with your big sparkling eyes, like he’d hung the goddamn moon.

“Yes.” You breathe out softly.

“Okay,” he replies, swallowing the lump in his throat, coaxing you to lay your head on his chest as he wraps an arm around you. “We can’t here, but I promise I'll think of somethin’.”

He made good on that promise a few nights later, a sweet boy trying to show a girl just how much he means to her, the only way he knew how.

Whatever happened in the barn that hot August night was between you, him and the Moon. She would forever keep your secrets safely hidden away.

Bliss. It was the only way to describe the high you'd been riding. Sneaking out of the house was still a regular occurrence, except most of the time you spent fogging up the inside of his truck. You both dove headfirst with reckless abandon and had little regard or worry about the consequences.

He wished to take you out on a real date, to hold your hand while watching a movie or sharing a milkshake at the diner. You both knew it would remain just that, a wish. It was too risky. Everyone knew Gator and word would surely get back to Roy so you kept your secret to yourselves to enjoy it for as long as you could.

Labels were never put on this thing between you. He never called you his girlfriend and you never saw any reason to call him your boyfriend. When you were alone, you were simply his and he was yours. Neither of you ever brought up the future, simply living in the moment and giving into your impulses as you saw fit.

Summer faded into Autumn, bringing with her the bright, crisp colors of fire and embers. Gator went back to school and you went back to your at-home studies.

The days became shorter as the weather began to grow colder heading quickly into the winter months. You spent less time outdoors, getting your chores done as quickly as possible, opting to stay in the warmth of the house as much as possible. This is when you began to notice a shift in Nadine.

She had grown a lot more quiet than usual, drawn in on herself. The usually bright and cheery nature she outwardly portrayed was no longer there, though you couldn’t blame her. The frequent abuse had never gone unnoticed, you’d only assumed he had finally broken her spirit. You’d never fully understood why she stayed with a man like Roy Tillman until it was far too late.

Roy, on the other hand, seemed to be in good spirits. There were less outbursts around the house with you and Gator managing to stay on his good side. They say hindsight is 20/20 and looking back now, it should have been clear.

She’d hugged you after supper one afternoon, something not uncommon but the way she held you tighter, letting the embrace linger for just a little longer than usual caught you a little off guard.

“You’ll be good and stay out of trouble, yeah?” She’d whispered, her voice timid.

“Of course.” You replied, squeezing her back.

“Good.” She pulled away, with an almost remorseful look in her eye. “You’re a good girl. I’m sorry.”

Your brows furrow at her apology but before you could ask what she meant by it, she dropped her hold on you and left the room.

You snuck out that night for your midnight rendezvous with a nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach telling you it was a bad idea that you ultimately chose to ignore.

The engine hummed as you walked over, forcing a smile to hide the trepidation you were feeling. He had gone out ahead of you to warm up the cab.

The door opened to reveal him waiting in the driver's seat, hands cupped around his mouth, blowing on them for added warmth. He wore his thick Carharrt jacket with a black beanie covering his head. He lowered his hands to smile up at you when his eyes found yours.

“Hey Sunshine.” He greets you sweetly, as you softly reply with “hey.” Your voice came out a little more melancholy than you intended, hoping he hadn’t noticed as you climbed in, softly shutting the door behind you.

“Here.” Extending his hand toward you holding out a matching beanie. “Didn’t know if you had one. It’s gonna get hard to do the chores in the mornin’ without one. Ya’ can keep it.”

You couldn’t help the genuine smile that lifted the edges of your lips at the thoughtfulness, while he beams at you. In all honesty, it wasn’t something that you had thought to ask Nadine or Roy for.

Your fingers brush his as you take it from him before haphazardly throwing it over your head.

“Cute.” He remarks with a sideways grin. “Now, get that ass over here and warm me up.”

You giggle, moving a folded quilt he had brought along and scooting across the bench seat. When you got close, he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you the rest of the way into his side. His lips leave a warm, lingering kiss to your cheek before asking if you were ready to go.

He drove with no particular destination in mind as the truck sped down deserted highways and backroads, happy to be here with you more than anything. His hand fiddles with the radio a time or two, quickly finding its place back on your thigh, as you lace your fingers with his.

You never mentioned the feeling you had or the odd way Nadine had acted, thinking it was better to keep it to yourself instead of souring the mood.

His truck comes to a stop on the lakeshore. The very spot he’d brought you countless times before. You sat there on the tailgate, pressed together with the quilt draped around both of you in comfortable silence as you held hands. The radio played softly in the background as the gentle lapping waves kissed the shore.

You move to rest your head against his shoulder with a sigh, looking out across dark water. There was no moon, no one to keep your secrets tonight.

“We won’t be able to stand the cold much longer. Hell it’ll be snowin’ in a few weeks.” He finally remarks.

“That’ll make it harder to sneak out. Won’t be able to hide our tracks.” You add, feeling a little saddened by the thought.

“Mhm. Didn’t think about that.” He hums, bringing his lips to your temple for a chaste kiss. “Guess we’ll make due in our rooms. You’ll have t’keep the noises down.”

“Gator!” You scoff, head shooting up, sending him a glare that makes him bark a laugh.

“I know. I know.” He holds a hand up in mock defence, with a grin. “Thought I’d try, anyhow.”

You shake your head, smiling back, despite yourself.

“You’re doing well at quarterback? Me and Nadine always listen to the games on her little radio.” Changing the subject before he could get any other bright ideas.

“Oh yeah, Anderson went down for a couple of weeks, and I showed em’ what I could do. Coach is going to start me next fall for senior year.” He suddenly glowed at the prospect, on his way with a full ride scholarship once he graduated.

“That’s amazing!” You praised, truly proud of him.

He lit up and began telling you a story as you watched him, everything else fading away. The slight crinkle at his eyes as his laughter carried through the clear, bright night. The warmth in the smile that he only ever reserved for you. He had a way of making you feel like you were the only person on earth when he looked at you with his undivided attention. You suddenly wished so desperately you could stop time at this very moment and live here forever.

The conversation drifted for a little longer into the night until your cheeks and noses were rosy and numb. A few more laughs and stolen kisses before you reluctantly had to head back to the ranch.

He helped you back into the truck, shutting the door and rounding the front with a jog, eager for a little heat.

You were still wrapped up in the blanket looking back at him with an all too dulcet smile as he quickly hopped in and turned the ignition, hoping like hell it would warm quickly.

“Hey, Sunshine.” He says, holding your gaze, as he lifts his hands to brush some hair from your face. “Anyone ever tell ya’ that ya’ got the prettiest smile around?”

You shake your head, in reply. The smile at your lips only grows with his compliment.

“Well, ya’ do. You’re real pretty.” He turns more toward you, starting to lean in, his hand dropping to the side of your neck, warm and calloused against your cool skin.

His nose nudges yours, as slightly wind chapped lips meet yours. You melt into the kiss with a soft sigh, parting your lips for your tongues to tangle rhythmically. There was an underlying urgency as he tilted his head, his free hand slipping to the small of your back, pulling you into him.

You poured every once of what you felt for him into that kiss, hoping through actions you could convey what mere words never could.

Gator Tillman was your first love.

Though no “I love yous” were ever said aloud, you felt it in each and every moment you shared. In reality, it was a love that was never meant to last. This night would forever be ingrained as the turning point, doomed by the narrative that was laid out before you but you were both too naive to see it.

He hesitantly pulls away, resting his forehead to yours, eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. He had to get you home but wanted to keep you to himself. When you think back to Gator, these are the quiet moments that pull to the forefront of your mind. The moments you tried to carry with you in your darkest days.

He smirks and pecks your lips one last time before reluctantly pulling away completely, sitting back in the seat.

“Damn.” He mutters. “I wish we had more time.”

“Me too.” You softly reply, taking up your usual spot right in beside him, not a hint of daylight between you as he shifts the truck into gear taking your leave.

It was a quiet, comfortable ride back until the house finally came back into view.

Your stomach dropped, like all the air had been sucked from the space you shared. All the lights were on and numerous deputies were parked outside. Something was terribly wrong.

Gator turned into the driveway, heart in his throat, trying to stay calm for your sake but in all honesty was scared shitless.

“Hey,” his hand resting on your thigh gave you a gentle squeeze. “It's okay, just follow my lead. Whatever it is, whatever happens, I'm right here.”

You nodded, unable to tear your gaze away from outside the window. Your insides were twisted, feeling like tonight's supper was going to come back up at any moment as you placed your hand on top of his, clinging onto him with an almost bruising force. You wanted to believe him but you were both truly powerless against a much bigger force.

Roy, standing on the porch, turned to see the truck. His stare was cold and indifferent, but his jaw was set. He began to walk over as Gator put the truck in park.

“Just stay in here.” He ordered, hand on the door handle, eyes pleading for you to listen to him.

“Gator,” you whimper, tears suddenly springing to your eyes. You were scared. There was no way either of you would walk away from this unscathed.

He sent you a half smile before leaving you alone in the cab with your heart hammering in your chest. You tried to take a few big, calming breaths to ease the anxiety that was coursing through your veins.

Roy's steps were heavy and calculated, reaching Gator in a matter of seconds before grabbing him by the collar pushing him harshly up against the door of the truck. You gasped out, covering your mouth.

“Where the fuck have you been?” He hissed between gritted teeth.

“We ju— just went for a drive. S’all dad. I asked her to.” His voice came out sure and steady. A scenario he'd thought about a million times, never believing it would come to fruition but he was living his worst nightmare.

“A drive? You expect me to believe that?” His grip grew a little tighter, pushing him again.

“S’the truth. I swear. You didn't have to get the whole department involved. We just went to the lake.” Shrugging nonchalantly, holding onto his lie for dear life, hoping for once he was believable.

You held your breath watching the whole thing unfold, the tension between the two only growing with each passing second.

“They ain't here for you, idiot! Nadine's gone!” He hisses.

Gator's eyes went wide with the sudden revelation.

“And then I find you sneaking out with Y/N after I told you to stay away from her?! Can't you listen to a goddamn thing I tell you?!” His voice bellowed out, sending a chill down your spine.

You looked on with horror as he held Gator by the collar with one hand, quickly raising the other, as the back of it connected with the side of his face.

“No!” You wailed, watching him slump forward as Roy then punched him in the abdomen, letting his knees hit the hard ground below. You wouldn’t forgive yourself if you stood by and let this happen without trying to help him.

You immediately flew into action, jumping out of the truck and running around to the other side, throwing yourself in front of him as he lay on the ground, groaning and gasping for a breath.

“Leave him alone!” You screamed, facing Roy head on with fury in your eyes before you felt the sudden sting of his palm meeting your cheek, knocking you dazed for a moment as you fell into the rough gravel below.

“You're an ungrateful little whore!” He yelled, taking a step toward you, but Gator had somehow managed to get to his feet, tackling the older man to the ground.

“Don't you fuckin' touch her!” He yelled, his fists coming down anywhere he could land a punch.

You cradled your jaw, trying to sit up, still dazed and helpless to the scene playing out before you.

Blow after blow pelted down on Roy until one of the ranch hands and a deputy were able to finally drag Gator off of him, kicking and screaming, leading him away and toward the back of the house. He was yelling out your name when Roy slowly got up and spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground turning his attention back to you.

His eyes bore into yours, staggering a step before righting himself and coming toward you like a raging bull.

You weren't quick enough to back away as he grabbed your arm with a bruising grip, pulling you to stand. Tears were free falling down your cheeks as he began to drag you to the house.

“No! Let me go!” You shrieked up at him, trying to wrench out of his grasp but he quickly turned, grabbing your other arm getting directly in your face.

“If you don't goddamn behave, I'm only going to make it worse for him.” He sneered. “You hear me?”

The implications of his words were crystal clear. Roy was capable of anything. No, God no. Please don’t let anything happen to him. When you didn't say anything, his grip on your arms only tightened as he shook you.

“Do you hear me?!”

“Yes, s—sir.” You sputter, bowing your head in defeat.

Without another word, he led you into the house and up to your room, shoving you in, causing you to trip and fall onto the unforgiving hardwood floor. You wince as your knees hit, bruising upon impact.

The door was quickly shut, with the unmistakable sound of him locking it from the outside could be heard echoing across the room.

You sat on the floor, leaned up against the bed, praying to whoever might listen. Please God, don't let Roy kill him.

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