#arvin russel

[tom-whore-dleston]

Goth Farmer

Goth: horror themes, mysterious and dark, mysterious Farmer: rural, tractors and machinery, animals, traditional

Here is my submission for @the-slumberparty's What's Your Aesthetic graphic challenge. I can't believe the slumber party is slowly coming to an end 🥺🥺 I've been having such a blast connecting with so many kind and talented creators while getting back in the writing groove. I am already looking forward to the next slumber party 😊😊

For this challenge, I got goth farmer and immediately thought of Arvin Russel. It was easy since The Devil All the Time already has southern gothic themes.

[idunnoficsorsumthing]

Masterlist

Contains:

Smut 🔥

Fluff 🥰

Angst💙

Arvin Russel

Long time ago 💙🥰

Bash

Forbidden pt 1 🥰

Forbidden pt 2 🥰

Forbidden pt 3 🥰

Forbidden pt 4 🥰

Bobby Floyd

Throw it out 🔥

Young love pt. 1 🥰

Young love pt. 2🔥

Bobby Nash

Four times... 🔥🥰

Surprise 🔥💙

While you were sleeping 🥰

Virtue 🔥🥰

Bucky Barnes

Wild Child

Castiel

Own room 🥰

Walking and rain 🥰

I dunnoooo 🥰

Dean Winchester 

Parents 🥰

Past mistakes🥰

Another?🥰

Fuck Buddies🥰

Homesick 💙🥰

Homesick pt 2 💙🥰

Spiders🥰

I can’t 🥰

Dean Winchester broke my heart?🥰

Gabriel

Sweet taste 🥰

Late 🥰

Blurb 🥰

George Weasley

How is everyone okay with this? 🥰

Best friends 🥰

Best friends pt 2 🥰

Issues lol 🥰

Wedding dress shopping 🥰

Next steps 🥰

Yule ball dates 🥰

Green? 🥰

Blurb 🥰

New Perfume 🥰

Dragons 🥰

Harry Styles

Old feelings 🥰

Harvey Specter

Dinner Secrecy 🔥

Hangman

This might be the summer heat masterlist 🔥

JJ Maybank

JJ Maybank no title🥰

JJ Maybank no title pt 2🥰

Lucifer Morningstar

Do you believe? 🥰

Newt Scamander 

Come with me to paris 🥰

Remus Lupin 

Get on 🥰

Summer Fling 🥰

Stiles Stilinksi

Snow 🥰

My Point🥰

Rafe Cameron 

Lost the bet🔥

[slasherscream]

my girl can wear whatever she wants tiers please for crazy ass boys gang!!!

CRAZY ASS BOYS GANG + MY GIRL CAN WEAR WHATEVER SHE WANTS TIERS

❥ my girl can wear whatever she want cause I can fight ❥

Billy Loomis - When you look particularly good his arm might as well be glued to your waist. He's both possessive and protective. He hates the way everyone's eyes devour you, but can't help how prideful it makes him either. Yeah, you want her. Of course you want her. Everyone does. But only I have her. God help the idiot that's stupid enough to open their mouth and not just look.

Jordan Li - They love watching you put your outfits together. They make suggestions from your bed, glancing up at you every few minutes. They can't help it. Their eyes are drawn to you permanently. No matter how crowded the room they can find you in a second. Whenever there's a party Jordan loves watching everyone try to sneak quick glances at you. They jump like rabbits when they wind up meeting Jordan's eyes and watch that smile that Jordan only wears around you fall back into the usual scowl. No one wants to be caught staring at Jordan's girl.

Arvin Russell - It's not possible for you to feel fear in public when you're with Arvin. You could be wearing straight lingerie in the most dangerous city in the world at 2 am and be safe. He's not just ready to protect you but hungry for it. Every time he proves he'll fight till his knuckles are bloody and bruised over you he watches you walk a little more confidently. Shine a little brighter. Knowing that he's there to protect you has only made you more yourself every day. And Arvin? He's obsessed with the transformation that the safety net of his fierce protection has ignited within you.

Jason Dean/JD - You wish he'd only fight people over what you're wearing. Unfortunately, this is not the case. JD pulls out a gun. Not every time, granted. Just a large majority of the time. In his defense, how is he supposed to act when someone has the audacity to cat call you? Do you expect him to just watch and not care as you experience that brief shiver of fear that runs up your spine when a man whistles at you before following it up with even more salacious words? If you feel fear, he'll make them feel fear. Simple.

Sparrow!Ben Hargreeves - If someone is stupid enough to not recognize him before they say anything to you about what you're wearing they will quickly recognize the tentacle wrapped around their throat. "Apologize." He hisses through gritted teeth, increasing the pressure, knowing just how much strength he can use before it would break their neck. How he ever expects anyone to apologize to you with a giant tentacle wrapped around their wind pipe you don't know. This is the second time this month. You're running out of night clubs you're not banned from.

David Mccall - You walk out of the house with the confidence that only someone who's done 12 tours over seas should have. But no, you just have a boyfriend who is incredibly scary. You've watched him almost break a man's hand for brushing it against yours at a crowded bar while he reached for his drink. You don't even think before you throw on an outfit anymore.

❥ my girl can wear whatever she want because she a hoe and I knew that before we started dating ❥

Josh Washington - Could he fuck someone up if needed? Yes, but he feels no need to. As long as you're not in danger or being disrespected Josh loves the way you express yourself through your look. You're hot and beautiful, of course you wear stuff that's short or tight, or both. If he looked like you he'd do the same thing. People don't usually say anything to you anyways, since he's always pressed to you like a second skin. He's not a jealous guy, but he is a chronic clinger.

Stu Macher - Is probably the person wolf whistling you in the first place. Points at you from across the room when you're talking to other people and says, "That's my girl right there. She's smoking, right?" He will always be smug he pulled you and NEVER shut up about it. The more wild you dress the more smug he gets. People can look all they want. But you only want him. What's there not to brag about?

Kevin Khatchadourian - Kevin above anyone else would thoroughly understand your psyche before dating you. He's involved with you because, somehow, you intrigued him against all odds. He already expected and predicted with near perfect accuracy every step of the relationship. Skimpy outfits are not throwing him. Can he fight? Yes. But, frankly, if someone pisses him off by hitting on you swinging on them is not gonna satisfy him. He's more of a "put their fingerprints at a crime scene so their life is ruined" type of get back. If he decides not to kill them.

Sebastian Valmont - Sebastian is the one buying you more hoe clothes. He loves your style and is not insecure. If either of you wanted someone else, you could go get them. But you two were practically made for each other. He wants to show you off. Is never going to be the type to try and dull your shine. He wants to walk into a room with you and have jaws drop from the deadly combination of the way you look together. He thrives off of seeing how much people want you. Knowing how futile it is. How hopeless. He pulls you tight into his side and grins like the devil himself (also, and this knowledge is of utmost importance, he cannot fight for shit.)

❥ my girl can wear whatever she want cus I’m scared of her ❥

Nathan Prescott - Is possessive, jealous and insecure enough to absolutely want you to change what you're wearing. With anyone else he'd even be bold enough to tell them to change. You are not anyone else, though. You are you. Considering every other behavior you tolerate from Nathan on a monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly basis you would snap on him like a twig if he tried to bring one more red flag on board. He knows this. You know this. When you slide on your low rise jeans and the tiniest crop top known to man, you make eye contact with one another in the mirror. He looks away first. You go back to peacefully fixing up your hair. Upside, no one is crazy enough to actually hit on you when you're at parties held on campus together. Which means Nathan won't have the cops called on him. Hooray!

[thollandsgirl2013]

Fanfic recommendations!! Fics and blogs I love down below 👇

Masterlist @webslingingslasher

I love everything on your blog!! Specially Frat! Peter ❤️ You go J bae!

Masterlist @waitimcomingtoo

Your fics always make me laugh. I also cried on the sad ones. You're great, you're my inspiration to start writing.

Masterlist @devotion

I love Rather Be and Tiger the most!

Masterlist @vendettaparker

I love everything, but Red-Handed, The Baby assignment and What A Dumbass is my most favourite.

Masterlist @ptergwen

Love all your fics, every single one is my favourite ❤️

Masterlist @spideyyeet

Damn! I don't have words, you're an amazing writer. The smut you write? Oh my 🫠

Masterlist @selfcarecap

I love your fics, Every. Single. One!

Masterlist @parkerpeter24

Every time I requested a fic, you delivered it perfectly! Love you.

Masterlist @spideyspeaches

Masterlist @uglypastels

Masterlist @marvelouspeterparker

Masterlist @sunkissedpages

The smut are really really good 😉

Masterlist @lvstrucks

Love all of your work 🤩

@whatsupmrstark

TikTok - P.P

Bare - P.P

My Girl - T.H

Masterlist @justapurrcat

Masterlist @shawnxstyles

Masterlist @blissfulparker

Masterlist @petersspidey

Masterlist @sleepyhollands

Masterlist @mrs-hollandstan

Masterlist @sourcherryandsprinkles

@withahappyrefrain

One shot

Blurbs

Masterlist @tomsrebeleyebrow

Masterlist @harryspet

All dark fics!!

Masterlist @hollandsangel

Masterlist @hollandcrush

Masterlist @spideyzgirl

Masterlist Masterlist2 @spidernerdsblog

Masterlist @yesitsmewhataboutit

Masterlist @cherienymphe dark fics

Masterlist @inthemytdl

Masterlist @lousimusician

Masterlist @sacharinee

Masterlist @chaoticparker

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Masterlist @terrifictomholland

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Masterlist @duskholland

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Masterlist @asonofpeter

Masterlist @spideyanakin

[darkmasterlistyouneveraskedfor]

The Backwoods AU

A Special Sort of Craving (Lloyd Hansen, The Gray Man)

The Detour (Thor, MCU)

The Stranger (Chris, Destroyer)

Forget-Me-Not (Loki, MCU)

The Farmer’s Daughter (Walter Marshall, Night Hunter)

The Rebound (Curtis Everett, Snowpiercer)

Second Best (Lee Bodecker, The Devil All the Time)

Crossed Wires (Andy Barber, Defending Jacob & Cole Turner, Ghosted)

Daddy Lesson (Rafe Cameron, OBX, Outer Banks)

All Things End (Arvin Russell, The Devil All the Time)

THTH (Ransom Drysdale, Knives Out)

Called To Duty (Captain Syverson, Sand Castle)

Unmanageable (Pete Brenner, Pain Hustlers)

A Place in the Sun (Nick Fowler, The 355)

[bumblesimagines]

Our Gentle Sin

Request: Yes or No

Summary: After being left orphaned and adopted by his grandmother, Arvin finds solace in his new sister and discovers a partner in crime in the neighbor down the road.

Pronouns: He/Him/His, M!Reader

CW/TW: Mentions of parents dying, implied/mentioned abusive parents, mentions of religion , mentions of homophobia, mentions of pet/animal death

~~~

Arvin remembered the days after his parents' deaths pretty vividly, even at the young age he'd lost them. He remembered the funeral for his mother and the deathly silent ride back home where he stewed in his anger and grief; unable to brush away the fact all his father's insistent praying and the slaughter of his poor dog had been for nothing. No amount of praying or sacrifices had taken his mother's illness from him, no amount of tears shed brought his best friend back to life.

By the time he led the officer to his father's corpse by the cross out in the woods, his body and heart had grown numb.

The ride to his grandmother and uncle's home had been silent, too. He supposed there was nothing good to say to a boy who'd lost his parents back-to-back. The numbness dulled a little after reuniting with his family and his new sister; Lenora, she was called, presumably an orphan like him. Her mother had dropped her off at his grandmother's home to spend the day out with her husband and his cousin, only to never be seen alive again while her husband and the cousin virtually disappeared. Her sweet smile and glittering eyes won him over soon enough and he vowed to always protect her. 

A couple months after settling into life at his grandmother's house, she had his uncle drive them down the road and across the street to a neighbor's house where one of Lenora's friends lived for a playdate. His grandmother told him about the boy his age who she hoped he'd befriend and coaxed him into giving the boy a try while she caught up with his quiet and timid mother.

Back in Knockemstiff, Arvin had little to no friends since most of the boys always gave him a hard time for being an outsider. In Coal Creek, his grandmother assured him, things would be different. 

While his grandmother and Lenora entered the house, Arvin lingered outside, unsure of what to do with himself as he stared at the boy. (Y/N), he was called. (Y/N) stared back at him, his fingers toying with the laces of his worn shoes and chin propped up on his knee. "You're Arvin?" He finally spoke, lifting his head and squinting through the sunrays. Arvin gave a nod. "Come meet Summer." 

Arvin barely had time to question him on who exactly 'Summer' was before (Y/N) took him by the wrist and led him around the house to the open backyard. His eyes automatically locked on the shabby wooden doghouse, his heart skipping a beat and then filling with longing when a sweet-looking dog poked its head out of the doghouse at the sound of their shoes crunching the leaves scattered around. Summer trotted toward them, her tail wagging and nose pressing so hard into (Y/N)'s shirt that it left a wet imprint behind. 

"Why is she outside?" Arvin asked, his lips threatening to quiver when he pressed his hand into her soft pretty fur. He thought of his Jack and how sweet he'd been, always trailing after him like the good boy he'd been. He remembered the cold night he realized what his father had done and the hatred that'd bubbled up in him. 

"Dad says animals are dirty, and dirty things gotta be kept outside. He doesn't like her very much, I think." (Y/N) explained, rubbing his palm into Summer's head and grinning when she lapped at his chin, her tail wagging quicker than before. 

Arvin decided then and there that he disliked (Y/N)'s father, and as he later learned, the man was a drunk son of a bitch worthy of no respect. 

Time flew by quicker than Arvin expected now that he had Lenora and (Y/N) to keep him company. They were as thick as thieves, vowing to protect and defend each other no matter what. It led to many fights when other boys at school tried picking on them, and they oft' sat at the dinner table while his grandmother scolded them and Lenora tended to their injuries, but it only made them closer. Trouble makers, some called them, but it never mattered. Arvin only grew to realize his feelings had changed when he heard his grandmother teasingly say she could see Lenora and (Y/N) marrying when they got older. 

Arvin had been unable to get her words out of his head since that evening, been unable to decipher why it annoyed him as much as it did. It made sense, in a way. Two kids from the same town growing up together and eventually marrying after high school was a tale as old as time. He wondered if it was simply the idea of his little sister getting hitched or someone stealing away his only companion but only the latter bothered him more than the former. 

"You ever think of the future?" Arvin asked, leaning back against the hood of his car and staring up at the twinkling stars. The car shook lightly when (Y/N) shut the door, leaves crunching under his boots as he made his way around to stand beside him. He clamped his teeth around the cap of a beer bottle in hand, peeling it off and spitting it out onto the ground. 

"The future?" (Y/N) repeated, offering the bottle before taking the cap off his own. "You thinkin' of the future now, Arv?" 

"Grandma was fixin' up dinner with Lenora and, I dunno, she said some things that got me thinkin', I guess," Arvin explained and took a swing of his beer, craning his neck when it began to ache and gazing at his best friend. (Y/N) pressed the rim of the bottle against his bottom lip in thought, eyes staring off into the darkness of the forest around them. Arvin liked watching him. He learned all his quirks and habits that way. 

(Y/N)'s brows fixed. "What'd she say? She mention she wants you out of the house or somethin'? I bet she wants you to get yourself a real pretty wife." (Y/N) laughed, his voice teasing and light-hearted. 

It was true, he supposed. The times his grandmother would talk about his parents, she always ensured to remind him that he needed to 'find himself a good, God-fearing Christian wife who loves him as his mother loved his father.' He'd heard the romantic tale time after time; his father drove through Meade and stopped to get himself a coffee only to end up head over heels for the pretty, generous waitress. His father ignored his grandmother's desire to get him to wed another woman and ultimately won his mother over. In the end, his love for her led to his own demise. 

"She thinks you oughta marry Lenora." 

"Lenora?" (Y/N) repeated, aghast and wide-eyed. "Oh, come on, Arv. I'd never marry Lenora! She's like a sister to me, you know that." He shoved his elbow into Arvin's side and scoffed quietly, filling his mouth with beer and making the car shift when he sat back on the hood. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Arvin chuckled, thumb rubbing into the wet glass of his bottle. He caught (Y/N) leaning back to lay on the hood and clicked his tongue, twisting around to warn him about denting the hood only to notice the way (Y/N)'s shirt rode up and exposed the happy trail dipping beneath his jeans. The words died in his throat and he clamped his mouth shut but before he could turn away and take a swing of his beer, the moonlight shone above them and exposed the blossoming bruise peeking out from under his shirt. 

Without thinking twice, Arvin's fingers grasped the hem of his shirt and tugged it upward, ignoring the noise of complaint that escaped (Y/N) when the cold nipped at his newly exposed skin. A hefty bruise just over his rib cage, big and purple and enough to send a wave of fury over Arvin. (Y/N) shoved his hand away and sat up, pushing his shirt back down and stepping away from the car. 

"(Y/N)-"

"I don't wanna hear it." 

"I'm gonna kill him, I swear." Arvin spat, fully meaning his words. He had the means to now that his uncle had recently gifted him a gun that once belonged to his father for his birthday but he never did anything without (Y/N)'s knowledge. (Y/N) chugged the rest of the beer, regret briefly settling in when his features scrunched up before he tossed the bottle aside blindly to be forgotten in the woods. "I could, you know. Unc' got me that gun I showed ya the other day."

"It was a fight, Arv. I got some good punches in, too." (Y/N) sighed. "He was drunk and being a real piece of work over Summer. Said he wanted to sell her n' stuff like that now that she's too old to do anythin' other than sleep." 

"It'd be real easy to get rid of him." Arvin would never admit it aloud, especially around others, but he'd thought about it plenty of times before. A drunk hated by virtually everyone? No one would bat an eye. He doubted the church would even say any prayers for him. "I could do it." 

"Not worth it, Arv."

"Not worth it?" Arvin bristled, his hold on his bottle tightening and his body peeling itself away from the car. (Y/N) barely batted an eye when Arvin grabbed a fistful of his collar, and the blatant trust despite his home life made Arvin's anger simmer down a smidge. "I ain't goin' to sit around a second longer watchin' him be a piece of shit to you and your family." 

"Our sisters are graduatin' soon, remember? By the time graduation comes around mine will be hitched by that little boyfriend of hers and out the house quicker than a fish in water. Ma's never leavin' him, you and I both know that, but I will someday. You and I will do some work, get some money, and make somethin' of ourselves. I'll need you out of prison for that to work, Arv." (Y/N) pursed his lips. "You keep gettin' yourself worked up over nothin'-"

"It ain't nothin' and you know it." Arvin huffed and released his tight hold on (Y/N)'s collar, taking a quick swing of his beer in hopes it'd help calm his racing heart and heated nerves. He inhaled deeply and forced his shoulders to sag when he exhaled, his eyes darting around the darkness until he calmed down and met (Y/N)'s stare. 

"You make a better guard dog than Summer." (Y/N) teased, his smile as calming and pretty as always. 

Being raised the way he was, Arvin heard plenty of religious talk. He'd believed in God once, back when his father imprinted it in his skull that he had to pray otherwise his mother would never heal from her sickness, but any belief died with his parents. He attended church on occasion and kept his mouth mostly shut when his grandmother and sister spoke of the bible and prayer but the belief never rose to full devotion and love like the others. He'd heard plenty of what was sin and what was not; man laying with man being spoken of as if it were the worst sin of all. Arvin could care less if someone loved another of the same sex but he knew little of how (Y/N) felt on the topic. 

"Yeah," He managed out weakly, his eyes snapping upward when he realized he'd been staring. His ears warmed with embarrassment and he drank again, finishing the bottle quicker than expected. "A guard dog bites, though. You never take the damn muzzle off." 

"You ain't got no muzzle, Arv. I got you on a leash, maybe." (Y/N) laughed lightly and Arvin wondered if his mind conjured up the flirtatious tone. "I take good care of you, don't I? Here makin' sure you don't get taken away by animal control." 

"It'd be for good reason-"

"Arv," (Y/N) groaned, lightly shoving his shoulder and lolling his head to the side. "You know I'd never let 'em take you unless I'm comin' too." 

Arvin hummed softly, chewing on the inside of his cheek 'cause despite his desire to get rid of such a filthy stain, where else would he find loyalty as strong as his if he lost him? Apart from his family, he had no one else, and he'd rather die than let anything happen to their friendship. Even if his thoughts plagued him with thoughts about how close they were or how easy it'd be to close the distance.

(Y/N) stared at him silently before exhaling heavily through his nose. "Arv," He said quietly and Arvin hummed again. "Will you keep a secret for me?" 

"'Course."

"Good." (Y/N)'s lips quirked up briefly before his warm hands landed on Arvin's cheeks and tugged him closer. 

Arvin immediately stiffened when they kissed, eyes widening with rigid shock that made him freeze up but his hands flew into action when he felt (Y/N) begin to pull away from him. His hands grabbed onto him, fingers hooking in the belt loops of his jeans and pressing him as closely as possible. Arvin closed the small distance with a kiss rougher than the first, too eager to ensure (Y/N) knew he felt the same but (Y/N) only chuckled and returned the affection just as roughly. 

"You ain't ever leavin' me, right, Arv?" (Y/N) asked breathlessly against his lips.

"Never."

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

make you mine 1

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, age gap, possible abuse, alcoholism, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Your father is strict but his authority is challenged by the boy in town and the man at his door.

Characters: Arvin Russell, Lee Bodecker

Note: you know what, why shouldn't I?

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me <3

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Asking for more or putting ‘part 2?’ is not feedback.

Love you all. You are appreciated and your are worthy. Treat yourself with care. 💖

You keep your head down as you near the store. That group of boys is smoking at the corner again, their stained white tees and dusty old flannel jackets smell of sawdust and oil. Your daddy always tells you not to talk to strange men and except for him, they're all strange. 

"Hey, doll, where you in a rush to?" One of them flicks a cigarette away as he breathe smoke behind you. 

You hurry up as he whistles, "yeah, walk faster, girl. Wiggle them hips." 

"Quiet," another hisses and you hear the heavy thump of a slap against his shoulder, "ain't no way to talk to a lady." 

Footsteps rush after you and before you can reach the door, it opens, the bell jangling above as one of the men pulls it back. You look at his boots, grimy, laces fraying, slouching around the ankles. His other hand dangles by his side, cap folded in his grip. 

"I'm really sorry about Jethro, miss, he's got a real nasty mouth," he says, "you alright?" 

You nod and say nothing as you continue inside. 

"You're scarin' her, Arv," another man calls over, "look at her shaking in her shoes." 

He sighs and lets the door close between you as he turns back to respond. His words are muffled as you take a basket and flit into an aisle. Mr. Canavan is behind the counter, flipping through a newspaper as the radio crackles. You pick out the few staples running low in your pantry and add on a bottle of rum for your pa. 

"Afternoon, miss," Canavan greets in his piggish snort. You return the sentiment as you wait for him to tally up your order. "How's your daddy?" 

"Good, good," you answer as you peek towards the window. The men cross the street and disperse, some still walking in pairs. 

"He got a thirst?" he comments on the bottle. 

"Doesn't he always?" You count out the money and hand it to him. 

"Yeah but he usually takes care of that down at Hal's." 

"Lost too much on the table last time," you shake your head as he gives you back the change. 

He packs up a paper bag and you thank him, sliding it off the counter. It's heavy and makes your shoulders ache. You shouldn't have waited so long. 

You push the door open with your hip and turn, nearly colliding with another. The same man chuckles as he puts a hand on your elbow to keep you from toppling. You bite your lip and his eyes fall to his touch, dropping his arm guiltily. 

"Sorry, miss," he says as he sweeps back a curly lock that droops down his forehead, putting his cap over his hair to hold it back, "didn't mean to scare ya." 

"It's fine," you nearly whisper. 

"I wanted to say sorry again for my friends, if I can call them that. They don't see ladies often and they forget their manners." 

"Really, it's okay," you insist with a squeak. 

"Nah, it isn't," he counters, "but I told 'em to leave you alone." 

"Oh, thank you," you look past him. 

There's a pause. Awkward as he digs his heel into the ground. He chuckles and rubs his hands together. 

"That looks heavy, can I help ya with that?" he asks. 

You look at your armful. You don't know if you should. Would he be mad if you say no? He hasn't been mean. 

"Just halfway," he offers, "not tryna creep on ya or nothing, I'll just walk you to your corner." 

You press your lips together. Your daddy wouldn't see him at the corner.  

"I really feel bad about those other jerks," he continues, "so least I can do is carry your groceries." 

"Okay," you utter. 

You stand stupidly as he grins at you. You catch a glimpse of his dark eyes and crooked smile before your eyes return to the ground. He gently reaches to shift the bag out of your arms and lifts it easily. He steps back and you feel his gaze hanging over you. 

"Which way am I goin?" he asks. 

"Oh, uh," you point past him. 

He turns and waits for you to come up beside him before he starts off. He's shorter than the others but his shoulders are broad. He's still got a couple inches on you, though he's much trimmer. You catch up and focus on keeping pace with him. 

"I'm Arvin," he says. 

"Um," you breathe and muster your name in return. 

"I like that. It's pretty. Hope you're husband wouldn't mind me sayin' so." 

"Husband? I'm not–" 

You stop at the corner as you wait for several cars to pass before crossing. A brown and white cruiser rolls past and you watch the bumper disappear down the next street. You continue on as Arvin kicks a pebble unwittingly. 

"Not married?" he finishes for you. 

"I live with my pa," you answer. 

"Course. You must be young then." 

"I'm grown," you insist.  

You hate how your daddy teases you in the same vein, especially when he has friends over. It felt worse coming from someone nearly your own age, or looks to be. 

"Ah, just wonderin'," he assures. 

You're quiet as you carry on. You know you shouldn't still be at home. Lots of girls in Knockemstiff marry before they finish school. You haven't even had a date, not a kiss, or a look in your direction. 

"Just up here," you point to the next corner. 

He nods and carries on, stopping at the end of the street as he turns to you, "you sure I can't walk you all the way?" 

"My pa wouldn't like that." 

"He loves you, huh?" 

"He's my pa," you shrug and reach for the bag. He hands it over reluctantly. 

"I hope I see ya around. I work down at the mill. For Mr. Haroldson. Case you're wonderin' where to find me." 

"Thanks," you hug the groceries. 

He gives a tight-lipped smile. Disappointment twitches in his cheek. 

"See ya ‘round then." 

"Maybe," you answer as you turn away. 

You continue down your street. Halfway, you look back. Still watching you, he waves and slowly walks back the way you came. You spin back along the old country road, houses speckled over flat fields. You pass the rusty old brown truck at the edge of your pa's property, the sheriff's cruiser parked closer to the shed. 

You didn't expect company tonight. It must've been the same cruiser you saw at the corner. Your dread bubbles up but you quickly tamp it down. The sheriff always makes you nervous. He's talkative and you're... not. 

As you go inside, you hear your pa grumbling. You put down the groceries as the screen door clatters and take off your tweed jacket. You hang it as you step out of your boots. 

"You know we miss you down at the station," Bodecker's voice nears as his footsteps lurk, "there she is." 

Before you can retrieve your haul, he has it in his arms, "how ya doin', baby girl?" 

His usual pet name makes you squirm. Your pa says it's just him being nice. You never say anything against it. 

"I got it–" 

You try to take the bag but he holds it away from you. 

"Nah, what kinda man would I be, let alone a sheriff, if I didn't help a lady?" 

He winks and turns away from you, leading you past the doorway of the front room. You peer over at your father as he scowls and gulps from a can of beer. The sheriff likely brought the appeasing six pack to ease his presence. 

"What's for dinner tonight?" Bodecker asks as he puts the bag on the counter, peering inside. 

"I'm making a meat pie," you explain as you go to the fridge, "be more than enough for company, if you like?" 

"Now, how'd such a sweet thing like you come from that old coot?" He smirks over as you take out the beef wrapped in brown paper. 

You shrug and take the cutting board from against the wall. He doesn't move as you set up around him. You hate how his eyes follow you. Every time he's around. 

"You don't gotta work?" You ask as you reach for the bag. He pushes it towards you as he steps closer, looming over you. 

"I'm off duty for the night. Think I might indulge with your daddy," he reaches into the bag, his belly brushing your elbow as he lifts out the rum, "good brand." 

"Pa likes it," you step away as you search the cupboard. 

"You're old enough, you could join us after dinner–" 

"I don't like the taste and my pa don't want me drinking," you kneel to pull a pan out from the drawer. 

"Good habit not to take up," he clunks the bottle on the counter and rests his hand on the neck, "that boy you were walkin' with, he your friend?" 

"Boy? No, he was being helpful is all." 

"Was he, now?" He comes closer as you stand, "I know that boy, he ain't helpful." 

You glance at him. His blue eyes cling to you and you don't miss how they wander to the top of your blouse. You put the pan down and turn to grab your apron.  

He comes up behind you and takes the string, tying them tight as you wince in surprise. 

"Well, you're young. I'm sure you're fixing to find a husband soon. I'm just lookin' out for you." 

"I'm not looking for a husband," you draw away from him, "thank you, sheriff." 

"Well, your daddy won't live forever. Who's gonna take care of you, then?" 

You face him and frown, "I don't wanna think about that, sheriff, and I got dinner to make." 

"I'm sorry, baby girl, I worry about you. How long have I known you? I can't help it." 

"Thank you, sheriff, for worrying, but I'll be just fine." 

He tilts his head, bemusement sparkles in his vibrant irises, "I'm sure ya will be, baby girl… very fine." 

He sidles away and you return to the counter, pulling a knife from the block. The sooner dinner's on the table, the sooner you can go hide. 

🍽️

You clear your plate first, dinner’s made less appetizing by the sheriff and his leer. Your father doesn't help as he drinks more than he talks and you're left to entertain Lee's comments about your cooking and the same blouse he'd seen you in a dozen times. 

As you stand, the sheriff slurps from his beer and watches you. His lips shine as he puts the can down and smirks, "baby girl, you mind gettin' me the ketchup?" 

You swallow and nod, "certainly, sheriff." 

You turn and carry your plate into the kitchen, clunking it down on the counter before pulling open the fridge. You take the glass bottle of Heinz and return to the dining room to set it down.  

"Pa, you need anything?" 

"Dammit, Marcy, leave me be. I told ya… patrol's been busy," he waves his hand at you dismissively, your mother's name giving you pause. Lee hesitates as he twists off the metal lid. 

"I… pa, I…" 

"Is this what you're gon' do? Pester me?" Your daddy slurs, "'cause what? She was only being nice, ya know? I was too, I couldn't say no–" 

"Jack," Lee reaches over and pats your father's arm with his knuckles, "ain't there a game on soon? That old radio still work?" 

Your father blinks drunkenly and scowls. He shakes his head and hiccups, swearing as he tries to drink from his empty can. He tosses it so it bounces off the edge of the table. 

"Course it does," he sneers. 

"You got twenty on the home team?" Lee goads, "I should lock ya up for gambling." 

"Ah shut up," your father glowers into a dark chuckle, "it's you that's gon pay me fifty anyhow. Can't lock a man up for winning." 

"Ah sure, Jack," Lee stands and claps your father's shoulder, "come on. We’re missing the first." 

You don’t miss how the sheriff shifts his grip and lurches your father out of his chair. He gives him a nudge toward the front room and glances back at you. You should be grateful for the redirection, yet the leer in his eyes only makes you nervous. You know he’ll be wanting thanks for that for a long time to come. 

“How about you bring some of that rum out with dessert?” Lee smirks as he follows your father towards the den. 

You don’t mention that you didn’t have anything planned for dessert. He doesn’t wait for you to say so. He chuckles and teases your dad again about the wager. 

You’ll have to come up with something. You might be able to spare enough for cream puffs. Those were always ma’s specialty. 

[hollandscure]

Arvin Russell

[itsagentromanoff]

The Devil All the Time (2020)

[k-nayee]

Saints and Sinners Devil All The Time

wc: 3.9k a/n: Song Inspiration: Take Me To Church by Hozier; recommend you listen while reading!!

Traveler M.List

ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙.·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙　✩　*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ

The heat clung to Arvin like a second skin, the late afternoon sun turning the school parking lot into a sweltering wasteland.

He stood next to his truck with a cigarette hanging from his lips, the brim of his cap casting a shadow over his eyes as he waited for Lenora—something he did every day, watching the doors of the school for her figure to appear.

His patience was wearing thin, the relentless humidity weighing on him, but he didn’t dare leave without her.

Not here. Not in this town.

His eyes scanned the yard, and that’s when he saw it: Lenora, standing off to the side, clutching her books like a shield.

She was surrounded by a trio of girls, their voices sharp and mean, cutting thick through the hot air.

Arvin could see the way she shrunk, trying to make herself smaller as their words slicing into her without mercy.

A surge of protectiveness flared—the same way he always did when someone threatened her,

He flicked his cigarette to the ground, stomping it out with a curse under his breath.

Just as he was about to intervene when you appeared, striding through the dust and heat with the kind of confidence that turned heads and stopped conversations.

You walked right into the middle of the scene unbothered by the sneers and whispers thrown your way.

“Didn’t think she’d need a slut to protect her,” the leader of the group spat, her posse snickering behind her.

You didn’t even flinch. Cool as ever, you reached into your pocket and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a effortless precision that had Arvin mesmerized.

“Slut, huh?” you echoed. There was something almost playful in your tone, like you were amused by her attempt to insult you. “Ain’t that what your boyfriend calls me when I see him?”

The girl’s sneer faltered, her eyes narrowing as she tried to hold her ground. “Wha...what’re you talkin’ about?”

"Your name’s Gina, right?" you asked, exhaling smoke into the humid air.

Gina stiffened, sensing the shift in conversation. "Yeah, why?"

You shrugged, flicking ash off your cigarette and giving her a once-over that made her bristle. "Just something your boyfriend mentioned."

Gina blinked, her face twitching with confusion. "And what the hell's that supposed to mean?!"

"You know you're cuter than I expected," ignoring her question you blew smoke into her face, making her take a step back. "Then again, don’t remember much he said when his face was buried between my legs."

The other girls gasped as the color drained from Gina’s face. She opened her mouth, but she struggled to find the words in a sputtering rage.

Arvin, caught between surprise and amusement, couldn’t stop the choked chuckle that escaped his throat.

His sudden sound made everyone turn, including you.

Your eyes landed on Arvin, still smirking as if you’d known he was watching the whole time.

Gina, humiliated and seething, took the chance to storm off with her friends trailing behind her.

"You...you disgusting WHORE!" she screeched over her shoulder, her voice cracking in anger.

You didn’t miss a beat. “Funny, that’s not what your boyfriend was saying,” you called after her, your voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Ate me up quicker than a sundae in July!”

Arvin shook his head in disbelief as the trio disappeared from sight, trying (and failing) to suppress his grin.

He glanced back toward you and Lenora, who was still clutching her books like a lifeline, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Lenora murmured, her voice soft, full of gratitude but laced with worry. “People already—"

"—talk about me?" you cut in with a shrug, flicking the cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it beneath your boot.

“Don't worry 'bout it Bible Thumper.” Your tone was playful, the nickname clearly something affectionate between you and her.

You lift your chin, gesturing toward Arvin’s truck. "Looks like your ride’s here."

Lenora gave you a small smile, casting a final glance at the ground as she shuffled over to the truck.

Arvin hadn’t moved though. He was still standing there, watching you.

You were dressed in a tight, low-cut top and a short skirt that hugged your curves—clothing considered vulgar by small-town southern standards, especially for 1965.

The bright red bandana you had tied in your hair made you look even more rebellious, standing out like a beacon among the pastel dresses and modest cardigans the other girls wore.

Then there was the fact your brown skin was a rarity in Knockemstiff, Ohio. The town wasn’t overtly racist, but had an undercurrent of prejudice was always lingering like smoke in the air.

You raise an eyebrow at him, catching him staring. "Got a problem with your vision church boy?"

Arvin flushed, realizing he’d been caught.

"No, uh... no problem," he muttered, fumbling with the brim of his cap before awkwardly tipping it in your direction and stumbling back toward the truck.

Lenora was already in the passenger seat, her wide eyes watching the exchange with mild curiosity.

He shot you a final glance before getting behind the wheel, hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary.

As the truck rumbled to life Arvin couldn’t help but steal one last look at you in the rearview mirror.

You were leaning against the side of the building with another lit cigarette, your form growing smaller as the truck rolled away.

The road stretched out in front of him but his mind lingered behind.

It wasn’t until a few miles down the road did Arvin work up the nerve to ask, “That girl...back there. She, uh...you know her?”

Lenora didn’t look up, instead trained on the frayed strap of her bag that she was nervously fidgeting with.

“Her name’s ____,” she said, her voice soft with fondness. “She’s been helpin’ me. You know, with the girls at school.”

Arvin frowned, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Helpin’ you? Didn’t seem like the kind of person who—”

Lenora snapped her head towards him, eyes fierce. “You don’t know her, Arvin.”

“She’s good!” She continued, more certain, like she needed to make it clear before he could form any more judgments. “She’s not what people think.”

Arvin raised an eyebrow, giving Lenora a sidelong glance. He wanted to believe her, but it didn’t add up—not with what he’d heard, not with what he’d seen of you.

“Doesn’t even come to church,” he tries.

Lenora shrug, facing the window. “Doesn’t make her bad Arvin. Jesus loved Mary Magdalene, didn’t he?”

The statement hit him harder than he expected. He wasn’t sure why, but the comparison lingered.

Lenora, despite being the town’s purest soul, seemed to see something in you that no one else did.

“Mary Magdalene,” he muttered, as if testing the words on his tongue.

“Mary was a sinner, wasn’t she? A woman with a reputation. Jesus showed her love and forgiveness. He saw her for who she really was, not what people thought of her.” She paused, her eyes back on her lap. “I think ____ is a lot like that.”

Arvin fell silent. He had grown up hearing stories of redemption, how Jesus saw past sins to the heart beneath.

It was one thing to hear those stories in church—to recite scripture and praise, but to apply it to someone like you? Could it be that simple?

He thought about the way you had stood in that parking lot and how you defended Lenora without hesitation.

You did cared about the insults thrown. You didn't falter when they spat the word slut in your face.

Then there was Lenora, tucked behind you, her wide-eyed innocence protected by someone the town swore was trouble.

Arvin didn’t know what to think. Part of him—the part raised under his grandmother’s strict moral code—wanted to reject it, to cling to the safety of what he’d always been taught.

People like you with a reputation weren’t to be trusted. They were trouble. They’d drag you into the dirt with them if you weren’t careful.

But another part of him couldn’t stop thinking about you.

The way you had looked at him, with that teasing smile like you knew something he didn’t. Like you weren’t afraid of him, or the town, or anything.

There was something so free about you, so untouchable...and it was dangerous.

It stirred something deep in him, something that had nothing to do with right or wrong.

“I don’t know,” he muttered finally, more to himself than to Lenora. “Just seems like the kind of person you shouldn’t be hangin’ around with.”

Lenora’s head snapped up at that. “I mean what would Grandma Emma say?” he added quickly, trying to justify his hesitation.

He didn’t want to sound like he was being overprotective, but the thought of Lenora getting caught up in your world—it didn’t sit right.

“She knows,” Lenora said, her voice surprisingly firm. “She doesn’t like it, but... she lets me. Because she knows that ____ is kind. She helped me, Arvin. No one else stood up for me the way she did.”

Now that stopped him cold.

If Grandma Emma with all her devoutness and strict adherence to Christian values could allow Lenora to be around you, then maybe...maybe there was more to you than what he thought.

Arvin glanced at Lenora then back at the road. The thought gnawed at him, your image lingering in the back of his mind like a half-formed idea he couldn’t quite grasp.

He was caught between two worlds—his grandmother’s moral code and the inexplicable draw you had over him.

Temptation, that’s what it was. Plain and simple.

It didn’t feel simple. It felt heavy, he wasn’t used to feeling that pull,

But maybe Lenora was right. Maybe, just like Mary Magdalene, you were more than what people said.

Maybe he’d been too quick to judge.

The drive home was quieter than usual, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

The weeks that followed your encounter with Arvin in the parking lot slipped by slowly, each day dragging with the heavy heat of summer.

You had begun to linger in his thoughts, creeping into his mind in the quiet moments when he least expected it.

He noticed you more now. At first, it was accidental—a glance here or there when he’d pick up Lenora from school or drive through town.

Sometimes you’d offer him a nod, a faint smirk playing at the corner of your lips as if you knew exactly what you were doing to him.

You didn’t go to church, not like the rest of them.

Every Sunday without fail he'd catch you: leaning casually against the brick wall near the chapel as you waited for service to end.

It was one Sunday, Arvin stood with Lenora under the oak tree by the steps, half-listening to her talk about something from the sermon.

His eyes drifted across the street, scanning the quiet neighborhood out of habit—and there you were.

The sun caught the edge of your dress, and for a second, you looked like something out of place. Not of this town, not of its rules or restrictions.

Like you were from another world entirely.

Without thinking, his gaze lingered too long, and you caught him. Your eyes locked onto his, and for a split second, Arvin felt that strange tightening in his chest.

Embarrassment crawled up his throat, but you didn’t look away. Instead you smiled—the corners of your lips curling up as if you’d expected him to be watching.

He swallowed hard, quickly glancing back to Lenora who was still talking, completely unaware of the silent exchange.

He tried to brush it off—told himself it didn’t mean anything. But the feeling of being seen by you, noticed in that way, was something new.

The feeling stayed with him long after you were gone.

In the weeks that followed he caught himself looking for you more often. He’d spot you from a distance, sometimes walking by the side of the road as he drove by in his truck.

Your posture was always casual, unbothered. Your dress would sway with your movements, your hips rolling in a way that defied everything about this small, stifling town.

There was nothing modest or demure about you, and Arvin couldn’t stop looking.

And whenever you catch him staring, that same smirk tugged at your lips before you’d nod in acknowledgment.

At night, when the house was quiet and everyone was long asleep, Arvin would lie awake, your image burning in his mind.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t supposed to think about you.

His grandmother’s sermons about temptation played on a loop in his head, warnings about sin and damnation ringing out in her voice.

But you weren’t just a temptation; you were kind to Lenora, protective even. Arvin had seen it, the way you stood by her side without expecting anything in return.

People called you all kinds of names, painted you as something to be avoided, but none of that matched the way you were with her. It didn’t make sense.

As for Lenora, she spoke more often of you now. She adores you—admire even. That always struck Arvin as odd.

There were days when Lenora would beg you to join her in the woods, sitting under the trees while she read aloud from her Bible.

You were nothing like the type of person he imagined Lenora would fall in line with, but then again, Lenora was far more forgiving than anyone in Knockemstiff.

She defended you like she had something to prove, telling him how you’d been helping her and that people didn’t know the real you.

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

The afternoon sun was beginning to sink lower in the sky as you and Lenora walked toward the Russell home.

You’d just finished leaving the woods, her familiar chatter filling the silence between you.

Lenora (ever the sweetheart), had invited you in, mentioning that it was Arvin’s birthday and they were planning a small dinner to celebrate.

Knowing the town’s judgment followed you wherever you went, especially in public spaces like the Russell home, you turn it down.

It wasn't until you saw Lenora’s broken expression did you hesitate. Before you knew it, you were walking up the steps with her.

You didn't plan on staying long, just until dinner started.

The idea of sitting down for a family meal, especially at the Russell home, wasn’t exactly something you were comfortable with.

As soon as you stepped inside, the scent of warm bread and mixing chatter of the Russell family greeted you.

Grandma Emma was in the kitchen, her back straight as she prepared dinner. She gave you a brief, suspicious glance when you entered with Lenora.

Earskell seemed to take an immediate liking to you. He was lounging in his chair by the living room window with a grin spread across his face, looking entirely too relaxed.

Arvin stood near the doorway. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets, clearly caught off guard by your presence.

For a moment, the room froze. Your eyes met his and the tension was immediate.

You hadn’t been this close to him since that day at the school, and it was clear he hadn’t expected you here—certainly not for something as intimate as a family dinner.

His gaze flickered over you. It was more modest than usual, a subtle nod to Emma’s old-fashioned ways.

With a black knee-length skirt, your light-colored blouse clung to your shoulders, the neckline dipping low enough to be daring in this town.

Arvin’s eyes traced the curve of your collarbone, his throat tightening at the sight.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Arvin muttered, low voice barely hiding the nervous tint beneath it.

You gave him a slow teasing smile, your eyes glinting with amusement as you stepped forward.

“Didn’t expect to be here either. Hope ya don't mind birthday boy,” you replied, the words rolling off your tongue with a soft lilt that made Arvin shift on his feet.

Earskell watched with a grin, clearly enjoying every second of the interaction.

Blissfully unaware of the tension swirling around the room, Leanora hurried back to the kitchen when Grandma Emma called for her, leaving you and Earskell alone with Arvin.

“Well, well, well. If it ain't miss ____." Earskell drawled, his voice carrying a hint of Southern charm laced with mischief. “Didn’t think we’d have such fine company tonight. Sure do brighten up the place.”

You grinned at that, makin your way to sit on the couch next to his chair, arms casually crossed. “You flatterin’ me old man?”

Earskell barked a laugh, eyes twinkling. “Just callin’ it like I see it. Ain’t often we get someone who can keep up with me.”

“You ain’t wrong about that,” you shot back, your voice low and teasing, the crassness in your tone catching Lenora by surprise as she returned from the kitchen. “Though I’m not sure your nephew here knows what to make of it.”

Arvin tensed visibly, his ears burning red at the way the conversation seemed to be shifting toward him.

He stayed quiet most of the time, barely able to meet your gaze. And now, with his uncle egging you on, he felt like a rabbit caught in a trap.

“Boy’s always been a quiet one,” Earskell said, waving a hand dismissively. “But I reckon he’ll come around, especially with someone like you lightin’ up the room.”

Arvin shot his uncle a sharp look, his face flushing even deeper. “Earskell,” he muttered, warning in his tone.

“Ain’t no need to be shy, boy,” he teased, leaning in as if sharing a secret. “Not every day a pretty girl walks through that door, is it?”

You couldn’t help but chuckle, giving Arvin a sideways glance, watching him squirm. He was trying so hard to keep his cool, but the flush on his neck and the way his hands fidgeted gave him away.

“Don’t worry, I won’t bite,” you say to him before giving a flutter of your lashes. “Unless you ask.”

Arvin’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, the tension in the room thickening for just a moment.

He couldn’t bring himself to respond, instead opting to drop into his chair at the far end of the couch, avoiding your gaze entirely.

The older man didn’t miss a beat, clearly delighted by your banter.

“Now don’t go thinkin’ you can outtalk me, girl,” Earskell said, leaning forward in his chair with a grin. “I’ve got years of experience on ya.”

“I ain’t scared of a little experience,” you replied with a smirk, flicking your eyes over to Arvin long enough to catch him glancing away.

He was practically squirming now, clearly unsure of how to handle the banter and the easy way you seemed to command the room despite barely trying.

You stood after a while, brushing your hands off on your dress and glancing toward the kitchen. “I should get goin’ before dinner’s on. Don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

Earskell laughed, waving a hand. “You’re always welcome here, girl. Don’t let these sour faces fool ya.”

Grandma Emma emerged from the kitchen just in time, wiping her hands on a towel and nodding toward you. “You’re welcome back anytime.”

You gave her a nod, offering a respectful smile despite the subtle weight of judgment that always seemed to hang around Emma.

She wasn’t cruel, not like the others in town, but she was set in her ways—rigid in her moral code.

You appreciated her decency, even if it was accompanied by a thin veil of disapproval.

Earskell leaned back in his chair, grinning as he turned toward Arvin to nudge him. “Why don’t you walk her out boy? Least you can do, seein’ as how she graced us with her presence.”

Arvin flushed at the suggestion, his hands immediately coming out of his pockets as he looked between you and his uncle.

“Uh... sure,” he muttered, the nervousness thick in his voice.

He rose from his seat and awkwardly motion for you to follow him to the door. The walk was short, but every step seemed to stretch out painfully for Arvin.

He could feel your presence next to him, the  faint scent of cigarette smoke and wildflowers clinging to the air.

It was intoxicating, and he cursed the way his skin tingled when your arm brushed lightly against his.

At the door, you turned to face him, your expression softening just a little.

The usual teasing glint in your eyes was still there, but something else had crept—something more intimate, more dangerous.

“Happy birthday,” you say quietly, your voice softer now, as if you didn’t want the rest of the house to hear.

Before he could respond you reach into your bag and pull out a small card, pressing it into his hand.

Your fingers brushed his as you passed it over, the contact sending a jolt through his body.

He stared down at the card, blinking as his mind scrambled to catch up. “What’s this?”

“Just a little somethin’ for later,” you murmured, your eyes locking with his for a heartbeat too long. “Don’t forget to read it.”

Giving him one last smile, you turn and walk out into the fading evening light.

Arvin stood frozen at the door, watching as you disappeared down the dirt road. He could still feel the ghost of your touch on his skin, the weight of the card heavy in his hand.

His heart was pounding, the familiar pull of temptation gnawing at the edges of his resolve.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he glanced down at the card.

His name was written across the front in your neat handwriting. And when he flipped it over, his breath caught in his throat:

Meet me at the abandoned barn by the cornfield.

His mind raced, the invitation clear—undeniable. His heart thudded in his chest, and a small voice in the back of his mind reminded him of all the reasons he shouldn’t go.

All the reasons this was dangerous, reckless. His fingers tightened around the card, and for a brief moment he wondered what the hell he was doing.

But he knew, deep down, that he’d be there.

.*.·:·.☽✧✧☾.·:·.*

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver-blue glow over the fields.

Arvin could hear the sound of his own heartbeat echoing in his ears as he made his way down the narrow dirt path toward the barn, the folded card tucked tightly into his jacket pocket.

He’d read it at least a dozen times since you handed it to him, each glance sparking a new wave of heat that crawled up his spine. 

He should’ve stayed home. He knew that. He’d spent the last few hours after dinner sitting on the porch, wrestling with himself.

When he reached the barn door he stopped just outside.

His grandmother’s warnings about temptation played on repeat in his mind, endless sermons about purity and righteousness and the consequences that came to those who strayed.

It wasn’t just her voice he heard; it was the town’s, too—the collective judgment of the people he’d known his whole life.

They wouldn’t hesitate to condemn him, to call him a fool for even thinking about following you here.

Because no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about you

The way you’d looked at him when you handed him the card, the softness in your voice when you wished him a happy birthday.

The memory of it made his heart race and he hated how much he wanted more of that feeling. More of you.

His fingers nervously twitched at his sides as he took a breath, steeling himself before finally stepping inside.

You were already there, waiting for him.

[hollandsfavbabe]

Tom Holland Masterlist

includes peter parker and other characters

navigation

Key:

*= smut

❀= favorite

♡= requested

Tom Holland

-By Your Side 

in which y/n tries to help tom improve at roller skating as several obstacles get in their way of having a good time

-It’s All For You ♡

in which y/n is up for an oscar and is supported in every way by her boyfriend tom

-Spider Terror 

in which y/n and tom face one of his biggest foes: a fellow spider

-Movie Night*

in which you and tom decide to take advantage of your very first movie night all alone

-That’s The Tea

in which tom finds out his girlfriend has no idea how to make tea

-Clean ♡

in which y/n helps to break tom’s fear of vulnerability by comforting him after a bad day

-Popsicle Pairs

in which you and tom decide to enjoy more than just popsicles until your son intrudes

Peter Parker

-Where Do We Go Now ❀

in which the death of y/n's father leaves her determined to bring him back and her boyfriend peter determined to save her

-Peter’s Precarious Polyjuice Potion / Part 2

in which you and peter are forced to take extreme lengths to protect your secret relationship with the help of your shape shifting powers

Arvin Russel

-Family Line

in which y/n teagardin is forced move to West Virginia with her brother and in the process, finds a boy who might just make everything alright

-Gold Rush  ♡

in which you and arvin’s secret relationship is discovered after a steamy movie night

[thollandsgirl2013]

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬*

Parings → Arvin Russell x Reader

Warnings → Smut !! 18+ unprotected sex, fingering

Summary → Arvin and you enjoy a lakeside picnic, followed by skinny dipping and an intimate moment together.

(gif not mine)

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the secluded lake in the woods. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating the perfect backdrop for a quiet afternoon picnic. You and Arvin had decided to escape the town for a bit, just the two of you, no interruptions, no distractions—just peace.

After enjoying the sandwiches you packed and some light gossip about the people in town, you turned to look at him. Arvin was lying back, one arm behind his head, his blue eyes focused on the calm water in front of you both. He looked so at ease, the tension he usually carried melting away in this quiet, hidden spot.

You smirked, a playful idea forming in your head. "Wanna get in the water?"

Arvin glanced over at you, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't bring no extra clothes, babe. I don’t wanna get wet and have to walk back soaked," he chuckled, his southern accent making his voice sound even more relaxed.

You leaned in closer to him, your grin growing wider. "Who said anything ‘bout gettin’ clothes wet?"

Before he could respond, you stood up, your fingers already working on the buttons of your blouse. Arvin’s eyes widened as he realized what you were doing, and his jaw dropped. His gaze followed your movements as you casually stripped out of your clothes, piece by piece, until you were standing completely naked in front of him.

He sat up quickly, speechless, his eyes roaming over your body, taking in the sight of you with a mix of awe and disbelief. "Ya… ya’r…" He stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushing slightly as he stared at you.

You laughed softly, a teasing gleam in your eyes. "Come on, Arvy!" You winked at him before turning and running toward the water, your laughter echoing in the quiet woods. Without a second thought, you dove into the lake, the cool water instantly refreshing against your warm skin.

When you resurfaced, you wiped the water from your face and turned to look at Arvin. He was still sitting on the picnic blanket, frozen in place, wide-eyed, and slack-jawed. "Ya comin' or what?" You called out with a grin, splashing water in his direction.

He blinked a few times, finally snapping out of his daze. "Ya’r somethin' else, ya know that?" He muttered, shaking his head in disbelief, but there was a grin tugging at his lips. Without wasting another second, he stood up and began stripping, his movements quick but purposeful.

His shirt came off first, revealing his toned chest and arms, followed by his jeans and boxers. You couldn’t help but admire the sight of him—his muscles, the way his tanned skin glowed under the afternoon sun. Your heart raced as you watched him undress, and when he finally dove into the water and swam over to you, you were already feeling a thrill run through your veins.

"So... we’re skinny dippin’ now?" He asked, his voice low and teasing as he approached you, the water rippling around him.

You smiled, biting your lip playfully. "Why not? It’s nice, don’t ya think?"

Arvin's hands found your waist as he pulled you closer, his touch gentle but firm. "I like this side of ya," he murmured, his voice full of admiration as he leaned in to kiss you softly.

You blushed, your heart fluttering at his words. "What side is that?" You asked, your voice barely above a whisper as your lips hovered close to his.

"The confident, carefree side," he whispered against your mouth before capturing your lips in a soft, lingering kiss. His hands slid down to your hips, holding you in place as your bodies pressed together in the cool water.

You kissed him back eagerly, your fingers tangling in his wet hair as the kiss deepened. His lips were soft, moving against yours with a slowness that made your heart race. When you finally pulled away, you were both breathless, and you couldn’t help the shy smile that spread across your face.

"You make me feel like I can be myself," you admitted quietly, your cheeks flushed, not just from the kiss but from the way he was looking at you—with so much love and adoration.

Arvin’s eyes softened at your words, and he kissed your forehead, his arms tightening around you. "You ain’t gotta be anyone else, darlin'. I love you just the way you are."

You felt your heart swell with warmth, and you rested your head against his chest for a moment, just enjoying the sound of his heartbeat.

After a few minutes of splashing around and playfully chasing each other through the water, you both decided to get out and relax on the picnic blanket. The sun warmed your skin as you lay side by side, still naked, your bodies drying off in the gentle breeze.

But it seemed like Arvin had other plans than just relaxing.

You felt his fingers ghosting over your skin, starting with a soft touch on your arm, then slowly trailing down to your stomach. His touch was light, almost teasing, and it sent a shiver down your spine.

"Arvin..." you whispered, your breath catching as his fingers brushed against your waist, then moved up to cup your breast gently.

He didn’t say anything, just leaned over you and pressed a soft kiss to your neck, right where your pulse was racing. His lips lingered there, warm and firm against your skin, and you couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped your lips.

"Ya'r so damn gorgeous," he whispered against your neck, his voice hushed as if he were sharing a secret with you. The warmth of his breath sent shivers down your spine, igniting every nerve ending in your body. His lips traveled lower, kissing along your collarbone, the gentle caress of his mouth igniting a fire within you. He took his time, savoring every inch of you, teasing until you were squirming beneath him, unable to contain the soft whimpers that escaped your lips.

“Arvin,” you gasped, your hands gripping the blanket, clenching it tightly as his mouth continued its slow, torturous descent. His kisses were deliberate, each one like a feather, igniting heat wherever he touched. He traced the curves of your breasts, his lips soft yet demanding, teasing your sensitive skin until you were breathless, wanting more.

As he took one of your nipples in his mouth, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peak, you arched your back, your body instinctively craving his touch. The warmth of his mouth, combined with the gentle suction, sent waves of pleasure coursing through you, making you gasp and moan softly.

Arvin's hands traveled down your sides, fingers trailing along your skin, leaving a path of tingling sensation in their wake. His lips left your breasts and returned to your neck, kissing and sucking, leaving faint red marks that would remind you of this moment long after. The possessiveness in his touch, the way he marked you, made your heart race.

His fingers found their way between your legs, gently parting your thighs as he explored your softness. The feel of his fingers against your warm skin sent another jolt of desire through you. He literally played with your folds, his touch both teasing and tender, and you couldn’t help but moan as he pressed his finger on your clit, rubbing you slowly, expertly.

“Ya like that?” He murmured against your skin, his voice low and teasing, making you feel exposed yet utterly cherished. You nodded, unable to form words.

Arvin's fingers teased you slowly, their warmth sending jolts of anticipation through your body. With a deliberate slowness, he pushed one finger inside you, and a soft moan escaped your lips as you instinctively clenched around him. The sensation was electric, igniting a fire within you that left you breathless.

Encouraged by your reaction, he slid in another finger, stretching you further. He moved his fingers with a rhythmic precision, driving you wild as he expertly found the sweet spot that made you gasp and arch your back.

His thumb found its way to your sensitive bud, rubbing in gentle circles that sent waves of pleasure coursing through you. The combination of his fingers curling and thrusting inside you while his thumb worked you expertly left you on the brink of ecstasy. Each movement was calculated, designed to make you squirm beneath him, and you could feel the heat pooling low in your belly as he continued to push you closer to the edge.

“Arvin…” you breathed, your voice trembling with pleasure. The sound of his name on your lips seemed to fuel him, his eyes darkening with desire as he watched you unravel beneath his touch.

“Ya’r so fuckin' beautiful like this,” he murmured, his voice low and husky, filled with raw need as he watched you calm down from your high. Arvin pulled his finger out and licked them clean before kissing you.

He’s body pressed down on you with a familiar weight, his dark eyes smoldering as they locked onto yours after he pulled away from the kiss. There was only a raw, consuming desire that had you both breathless before he even entered you. His hand gripped your thigh, pulling you closer, his fingers pressing into your skin, like claiming you. Without a word, he nudged himself against your enterence, rubbing his tip along you in a slow, teasing rhythm, the friction making you gasp.

“Ya want this?” He murmured, his voice a deep, raspy whisper that sent a shiver through you.

“Yes,” you breathed out, your fingers threading through his hair and pulling him closer, urging him on.

He smirked, the look in his eyes darkening with a familiar intensity. “Good,” he said, before pushing into you in one smooth, steady motion. The feeling of him filling you so completely made you moan loud, and you arched up to meet him, wrapping your legs around his waist as he began to move.

“Fuck, you feel so fuckin' perfect,” he groaned, his voice low and raw, each thrust deliberate and forceful. His hands gripped your hips tightly, holding you in place as he drove into you with an intensity that sent waves of pleasure through your body. He watched your every reaction, taking in every gasp, every arch, every breathless moan that escaped your lips.

You matched his pace, meeting each of his movements with a hungry urgency, the air between you thick with heat and desire. His lips crashed onto yours, rough and demanding, his hands never loosening their grip as he pressed you harder against him.

“Fuck, Arvin!” You gasped, barely able to find your voice between the sounds he was pulling from you.

“Say it again,” he moaned against your neck, his breath hot against your skin. He thrust deeper, pushing you to your limits, his name spilling from your lips in a broken moan. His response was a low growl, his pace quickening, each movement more intense than the last, his body pressing into yours in perfect rhythm.

“Can’t fuckin' get enough of ya,” he groaned, his words punctuated by rough kisses along your jaw, his fingers digging into your skin in a way that left no question of his need for you.

The tension built quickly, your bodies moving together in sync as he pushed you both closer to the edge. His eyes held yours, a fierce, burning look that sent another surge of heat through you. And as you finally reached that peak, trembling beneath him, he held you tightly, his own release following right after you as he buried himself deep in you, a low groan rumbling from his chest.

When it was over, Arvin didn’t pull away immediately, instead keeping you close, his breathing heavy, his forehead pressed to yours as he caught his breath. His hand moved to stroke your hair, his touch surprisingly tender after the intense passion you’d just shared, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Ya’r mine,” he said softly, his voice a little rough but full of certainty. And the way he looked at you in that moment, fierce and unrelenting, left no room for doubt.

Arvin slowly pulled out, a quiet groan escaping his lips as he settled beside you, immediately wrapping his arms around you and pulling you against his chest. You both lay there, tangled together on the blanket, your breathing still unsteady, hearts beating in sync as the last light of the day painted the world in hues of amber and gold.

You felt his fingers tracing lazy patterns along your back, his touch gentle in the afterglow. The warmth of his skin, the scent of him, so familiar and comforting, made you sink deeper into his embrace. He pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead, his lips brushing against your hairline in a way that made you smile, feeling utterly content.

The sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows around you, the trees whispering softly in the breeze. You looked up at him, meeting his eyes, a playful glint there as he tucked a stray hair behind your ear. “Think the whole forest heard ya,” he teased, his voice still a little rough, his grin boyish and mischievous.

You rolled your eyes, nudging him lightly. “Oh, like ya’r one to talk. Ya were loud too.”

He chuckled, pulling you even closer, his arm wrapping around your shoulders as he pressed another kiss to your temple. “Yeah, maybe. Just couldn’t help it,” he admitted softly, his voice dropping, “not with ya.”

A comfortable silence fell over you both, the quiet of the woods wrapping around you like a cocoon. The sky above had begun to shift to soft pinks and purples, the sun slipping further below the horizon. You nestled into him, resting your head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

After a moment, Arvin spoke, his voice thoughtful. “Ya know, I could stay here forever… Just us. Nothin' else matters.”

You tilted your head to look at him, feeling the weight of his words and the warmth of his gaze. “Me too,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. "It’s just us here—like our own little world.”

He smiled, brushing his thumb gently along your cheek. “Guess that makes ya my world, then,” he murmured, his eyes softening as he looked at you with a tenderness that made your heart swell.

You felt a warmth spread through you, deeper than anything physical, and you reached up, cupping his face, letting your thumb trace the line of his jaw. “And ya’r mine, Arvin,” you whispered back, sealing the words with a soft, lingering kiss.

As you lay there, tangled together on the blanket, the sun setting behind the trees, you couldn’t help but smile. It had been the perfect afternoon, just you and Arvin, in your little corner of the world.

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

[deepestconnoisseurmoon]

THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME (2020)

[thollandneedy]

Bellah's Masterlist 🪻

Hey babes! I'm back again, and with another masterlist for now 🤍

You can leave your requests here, and i'll try my best to respond to all of them!

Love ya xoxo

*Smut

Tom Holland 🍵

You can leave the glasses on

Needy*

Only you, my girl. Only you babe

The hot interviewer

Late night notification*

Photobooth

Bed Chem*

Shower

The Scary Movie

The Ghost face mask*

Peter Parker🕸️

Don't Tell 'Em

Princess Leia Situation

Don't you know*

April’s Fool

The homecoming trick

Worthy

Masked*

Burnout

Rainy Dates

Nathan Drake 🗺️

Fill Up the Room

Money make her smile*

Bunny

Diamonds are forever

[yichuuonvenus]

Charleston Girl

Dark!Arvin Russell x Reader

~Description~

You were the wealthy good girl from the “better” side of Knockemstiff, Ohio only that was so far from the truth. Arvin was never one to judge for you being a hidden troublemaker but he can’t help but want to straighten out a girl who doesn’t want to be handled. 

~Warnings~

Rape/Non-con, Underage drinking, Smoking, Fingering, Forced Orgasm, semi-public sex

“It’s so pretty on you,” you said as Lenora gave you a twirl. She was wearing a pretty pink tea-length dress. It was one of your own. You had so many from Momma, that you didn’t bother hanging this one up. It was in a box in your attic. You hadn’t thought of it until Lenora asked you about wearing something to the dance and what you would wear.

All you thought about was going to the dance with Lenora. You couldn’t care less about what you were going to wear. It’s always been that way. You and Lenora. You both were two peas in a pod. You were never seen without the other the day you found each other. It was in Kindergarten after Tommy Matson pushed quiet, good Lenora into the mud. He got a bad black eye and you got a new best friend. As you both grew up, you wrestled less with boys your age and found yourself under their sheets while Lenora became a godly goody two shoes. You kept up with the persona of the do-gooder for Momma of course. There was no way of talking your way out of one of Momma’s lectures. 

So you tried your hardest to seem like that good rich girl from the “better side” of Knockemstiff, Ohio. Many people didn’t look past the facade. You played it up so well going to church, never staying out late, never drinking or smoking. Little did everyone know you were doing more than they even realized. No one saw past it. Well, mostly everyone didn’t except for Arvin Russel. You didn’t know Lenora’s cousin that well even when you were at their house most of the time. He never talked much to you only gruff hellos and a few forced waves. 

He knew what you were plain as day but he never spoke on it. Never called you out for your sinful ways when you and Momma were over and Emma was going on about how much of a good girl you are, when you would laugh and giggle next to Lenora during prayer, or when you would lie to the boys you flirted with about being a virgin. 

Arvin never even batted an eye. That was until you found yourself being flirted with by Tommy Matson. He was just a dalliance in your eyes. He didn’t mean much to you plus it wasn’t like you were actually planning on sleeping with him but to Arvin… 

Arvin acted as if you sold yourself to the devil. 

He treated you so coldly after he saw you with Tommy one day. You had been kissing something you always did. Tommy got too handsy when you finally called it off. You rolled your eyes when he cursed about you being a tease and how Susie already went to third base with him. You spit the taste of him out and wiped your mouth. 

“Not all of us are easy like Susie Cox…” you snarled.

He rolled his eyes before spitting, “I was told you were easier than Susie Cox.” 

You cursed at him before shoving him away only to find Arvin looking in your direction with a hard glare. You stared back not knowing whether to give him a hard glare too. You chose to leave. Tommy was being a total drag anyway.  

“Good luck findin’ a way home,” Tommy said as you walked off. You couldn’t stop the middle finger that raised from you as you walked away with your arms crossed over your chest. 

You made your way down the road to your house. It wasn’t far from where you were now. So the walk wouldn't be anyways. You were by yourself for what seemed like ten minutes before hearing the sound of a car slow down next to you. You ignored it, thinking it was Tommy until a sound came from inside of the car. A sound from a voice you didn't want to hear right now. 

You stopped dead in your tracks and sighed, “Arvin…” 

You didn’t want to see him, especially not after your make-out succession with Tommy Matson. To be honest you would rather have him be Tommy than Arvin. 

“Get in,” he bit out. 

You hesitated a bit. You could tell he was upset and you could figure out a good and well enough reason as to why. He opened the door to his truck and you hurried in. It was quiet, so quiet it had you listening to the wind from outside the car for comfort. You wanted him to say something instead of this awkward silence that had your insides ripping themselves out. 

Finally, you couldn’t bear it any longer and said something. 

“Don’t tell Momma,” you whispered as you stared out into the road. 

You didn’t know why you said it because it wasn’t like he would’ve. He never did and yet… you had this overwhelming feeling that today might’ve been different, You could hear his grip tighten on the wheel ever so slightly at the plea. 

“And if I do?” He quietly asked. That caused you to finally look at him. You blinked in his direction, and he kept his eyes straight on the road. 

“She’ll kill me.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” he grunted as he pulled into your driveway. You stared at him as he finally turned his attention to you. His frown and hardened eyes stared right back at you. 

You swallowed, “Please… don’t tell Momma.”

He stared at you for what seemed like a long time before he eventually tilted his head, with a small nod. You thanked him for the ride and then that was it. You both never talked about it again nor was there even a reason to. To find your cousin’s best friend making out with a guy who bullied them both would have anyone shaking their heads at the sight. To this day you still don’t really know why you agreed to it in the first place. You supposed it was you were just bored and Tommy was the only one near that had anything interesting about him. 

You shook your head as Lenora pulled you up from the flowery bed. 

“Your turn,” she said with a smile, “You need a pretty dress too.” 

Lenora shuffled through the old boxes of dresses. It could’ve been decades worth of dresses. Momma had a keen eye for style. Lenora pulled out a pale blue dress you’ve never seen before. You smiled at it when Lenora held it up to you in the mirror. 

“Gorgeous.” 

You stared at it for a bit before Lenora spoke up again, “Hurry and put in on.”

You nodded and went to your bathroom. When you got the dress on you noticed how much prettier it was. The ruffles needed to be puffed out more, but it was a beautiful dress. When you came out Lenora couldn’t stop smiling and complimenting you about how you looked in it. You giggled when she twirled you around her. 

“Well don’t y’all look so pretty,” Momma said as you both smiled towards her. 

“Don’t we?”

She started to walk closer but you found Arvin right behind her. Your smile faltered a bit at the sight of him. Momma smiled at him as she gestured to you and Lenora. Arvin cleared out his throat a bit before agreeing. 

“Oh is it time to leave already?” Lenora asked. 

Arvin nodded as he stared at you both, mainly you. You didn’t know how you felt about the look he gave you. It was a soft gaze, softer than the day he saw you with Tommy Matson that’s for sure. You turned and grabbed Lenora’s hand trying to ignore Arvin’s eyes, “Let's go pick up your things, hm?” 

Lenora nodded and followed you back to your room. You helped pack the rest of her things and sent Lenora on her way with Arvin, who still looked at you with a strange look you couldn’t pinpoint. 

. . . 

You held the bottle to your lips chugging down the burning whiskey quickly you knew that if you didn’t it would all come bubbling up. 

“Slow down, sugar. What’s the rush?” the blonde boy slurred with a chuckle he was way drunker than you by a tenfold. Time and time again he always told you that he could hold his liquor and time and time again you always proved him wrong. 

You rolled your eyes and pushed him away when his hands started to palm at your thighs. It wasn’t the first time Ricky tried to pull something like this. You could usually forgive it because he would cry about how sorry he was the next day. You huffed and closed your eyes, drinking the last bit of the whiskey before throwing it down. You could feel your body warming up finally after an hour or so sitting there for what felt like forever with this boy. 

“Ricky, if I wanted to fuck something I wouldn’t have called you.” You said so bluntly it had him frowning and leaning forward. 

“Sorry,” he mumbled and crossed his arms over his chest. 

“It’s okay,” you sighed. You pulled out a cigarette one you stole from Momma, it was one you knew she wouldn’t be missing. You lit it up and took a small drag from it. “I’m gettin’ tired.” You tried to do a convincing yawn. It worked since Ricky was too drunk to notice how fake it was. 

“I'm going to start headin’ home, Rick.”

“This late? It’s dark out...” 

“I’ll be fine I'm just down the road from you,” you stated as you pulled your cardigan around you. You gave him a wave and left. The real reason why you left was you couldn’t stand having to take care of boys when they were drunk. It reminded you too much of your father.

You got far away enough to where you could only hear the sound of the wind blowing through you. You kicked a few rocks and missed causing you to slip and fall on your side. You could barely feel the scrape on the side of your arm courtesy of the alcohol Ricky supplied you. You laughed at yourself mostly because you magically saved your cig. You took a long drag and inhaled deeply. You picked yourself back up a task that now seemed a lot more difficult than normal. You swayed a bit and tried to keep yourself upright. You could make it to your house: just another mile or two to go. You continued on your merry way, taking one last hit of your cig before throwing it down and stomping on it. 

By then you didn’t notice the sound of a car slowing down by you. You would’ve broken out in a run, that was if you could run. Thankfully it wasn’t a cop but the sight that was held before you had you cursing underneath your breath. 

Arvin stared at you for what seemed like a long time before he huffed and opened the passenger seat door. You would’ve ignored it and kept walking if your whole body didn’t feel like you were carrying bags of sand. You made your way in, closed the door, and leaned your head against the window. You knew you probably smelled like a cheap liquor store, so Arvin could easily guess what you had been doing. 

It was quiet for a minute, you could tell he wasn’t as upset as when you found you and Tommy but he was disappointed. The car slowed back down a bit and pulled into an area with a lot of brush. 

“I don’t get why Lenora associates with you…” he calmly said as he put the car in park. “You two are so different.”

You huffed and stared at the window. You weren’t going to get lectured by a boy, especially Arvin Russel. 

“How are we so different?” You chuckled as you stared out into the dense forest. You turned your head to find Arvin looking directly at you his eyes were unnerving you a bit. You can tell he mumbled something but you couldn’t make it out, you were a bit too drunk. You thought you could hold your liquor, not tonight. 

You didn’t understand what happened at first. You found his lips on yours and his arms around your waist. It was all too quick for your drunk mind to comprehend. 

“Ar- Arvin,” You mumbled into his lips. 

He shallowed your pleas instantly with his tongue as he forced it into your mouth. You usually didn’t like it when boys would try to take control and it was no different now. You tried your best to fight him off but your slaps were weak while he was tasting your mouth. You moaned into him when he pressed a spot on your thighs it had you trying to close them but Arvin only pushed them wider. You could finally breathe again when he pulled his mouth off of you but instead opted to kiss your jaw and the side of your neck. You could feel his fingers on your underwear. They slowly rubbed up and down and you could feel the pair becoming wet. 

“You’re fucking drippin’ is that all for me?” he sighed as he pulled your underwear to the side and stared at it. Never in your experience has a boy even taken a peak. All the other times it was dark with you usually on top. It made you feel uncomfortable to have him this close. To have him staring at an intimate spot. To have him be the one that was overpowering you. It made you feel small, and you didn’t like the feeling of not being in control. He entered with a finger slowly bringing it out and in before adding another one. 

“Arvin please,” you gasped when he curled his fingers in a way that had you tensing. You pulled at his wrist until you felt his fingers go a bit faster. 

“Say that again,” he leaned over your body and whispered in your ear. “Say please and say my name again.”

“P- please, Arvin.”

Arvin kissed your lips as soon as those words left your mouth. His fingers didn’t stop nor slow once. Back and forth back and forth while you were squirming and moaning beneath him. Your hips met up with his hand every time causing his other hand to hold over your stomach to make you stay still. You cried out when his thumb started to rub at your clit. It was all too much for you, you were too weak, too intoxicated to get him off of you. It got to the point where he had you whining out for him. Begging him pleading for him to let you come. He smiled a devilish smile that had you furrowing your eyebrows, kissed your cheek, and nodded. You saw white and grabbed onto his hand that was holding you down. You moaned so loudly you swore that the woods were still echoing the sound that left your lips. Your body was too hot and paralyzed to even move. You breathed deeply as he fixed up your underwear and smoothed over your skirt. He stuck his fingers in his mouth tasting you while he stared at you. He stared at you while he did it. You could’ve slapped him if you weren’t too out of it to say something. 

“Let's get you home, hmm?” he said a bit out of breath too. 

You nodded and tried to pick yourself back up to a comfortable position. You both were deathly silent in the truck. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of your breathing. When he finally pulled into your driveway you thanked him and went on your way. You didn’t turn back as you went inside of your house and you didn’t hear him pull out until you closed the door. 

. . . 

“Y’all look like princesses,” Momma said as she fluffed up your dress and then did the same for Lenora. 

Emma smiled as she watched you both from the dining room chair. 

“Arvin is drivin’ y’all to the dance, right?” Emma asked as she got up and leaned against the archway. 

“Yeah,” Lenora said happily. 

You could’ve broken something right then and there. 

“Arvin?” you said lowly and Lenora nodded in a smile. She didn’t notice how upset you were but Momma did. 

“Don’t worry I am sure other people are going to be comin’ up in trucks too,” she giggled as she fixed your hair again. 

You weren’t worried about that yet you played along. You sighed at Momma and Emma picked up your guys’s shoes. You didn’t want to go out of your house all of a sudden. You didn’t want to go and see him. You haven’t seen him in over a month. You didn’t know how you managed not seeing him considering he was basically Lenora’s brother. Yet you did, you hid away. You haven’t been out drinking since that night which made some of your “other” friends upset. You couldn’t give them the real answer as to why so you opted to just say you were grounded. 

Lenora held your hand and guided you outside. Momma and Emma followed behind, smiling as soon as Arvin’s truck was in their line of sight. 

“Be good girls,” Emma said as you and Lenora jumped into Arvin’s truck. You both gave them a quick wave and went on your way. 

The car wasn’t silent but it wasn’t very talkative either. Lenora seemed to notice the complete energy shift and she was hesitant to start the conversation. Somehow she did. She and Arvin did some small talk. Now and then she invited you to a conversation. You would reply with one-word answers. Finally, you made it to the dance you knew that some people were already tipsy before even walking in just from the way they walked. 

As soon as you and Lenora walked out of Arvin’s truck she checked on you. She whispered when she asked if you were alright. You only nodded. You didn’t want to be near Arvin for a moment more. She accepted it and walked you to the door. You glance to your right to see Tommy smile at you with a brown paper bag he isn’t careful hiding. 

“You go on in, I'll meet you inside, okay?” You said and Lenora looked between you and Tommy. She didn’t look pleased but she didn’t say anything. She nodded and walked in. 

You felt bad and you knew that what you were doing was bad. What you were about to do was impulsive but you couldn’t stop yourself as you walked towards Tommy. His little gang wasn’t there with him, it was just him with a bottle. 

“I knew you couldn’t hold up on a good time forever,” he said. 

You frowned and took the bottle from his hand. You downed whatever it was easily. It was sweet and burned the back of your throat. It was a pleasant burn, one that made you feel a bit better about leaving Lenora. You leaned against Tommy’s car, never noticing how he only stared at you. 

“You look beautiful tonight…” 

“I’m sure Susie would agree too,” you quietly said as you sipped the bottle. 

“You’re still mad at that?”

“You said that I was easier than Susie Cox. Who wouldn’t be mad at that,” you quipped.

He stared at your lips then your eyes and only smiled. His hand touched your cheek, smoothing out your jawline and then finally holding it. 

“You know I don’t believe that…” he whispered as he moved his face towards your lips. 

You let him kiss you and you smiled. He was an idiot and a bully but you still let him kiss you. You couldn’t fully get why you did. You closed your eyes as you let him fully relax onto you. His hands started to make their way down to your neck then your back. It was calming, you felt calm as he held you. That was until you felt air circulate you, and Tommy was on the ground with Arvin on top of him hitting him repeatedly. You gasped as you stared at them. You couldn’t even scream from how stunned you were at the sight. 

“Stop, Stop it! Arvin quit!” You yelled at him and pulled at him but you couldn’t get him off of Tommy. “Please, Arvin please stop.” 

You could feel tears in your eyes. You know once you started crying you couldn’t stop. He only stopped when blood started pouring from Tommy’s nose. You yelped at the sight of his face. The whimpering sounds of the younger man were startling to hear. You couldn’t quell it though as you were being pulled away. 

You were farther away from the dance from Tommy’s bloody face. You cried when Arvin shoved you against his truck, “Why did you do that?”

“How could you willingly give yourself to that boy?” 

You didn’t know why he asked that or why he even thought it was any of his business.

“You’re not my dad. I shouldn’t have to tell you why I do the things I do and it shouldn’t bother you.” 

“I don’t think you understand…” he quietly said as he took your hair in his hands. You screeched when he pulled your head back. He quickly covered your mouth. The searing pain of your hair being ripped and pulled back had you sobbing. You could barely look at Arvin from how blurry it all was. 

“From the moment I touched you I claimed you. You don’t get to whore yourself around anymore. Not with me around to stop it.” His sharp words made you quiver against him. “Unless you want me to go to your mother and tell her all the sinful things I’ve watched you do.” 

You shook your head whimpering at how tight his hands were around your hair. 

“Are you going to be good from now on?” He asked and you nodded your head. His lips curved up at that. “Turn around, hold your dress up, and bend over against the truck.” 

You paused for a moment before finally doing what he ordered. You knew crying wasn’t going to get you out of this but you couldn’t stop the tears that traveled down your face. You held up your dress and you bent over the side of his truck. He held your hips tightly and pulled you back so your ass could fully be seen by him. He slapped it harshly once and then again and again. You could barely hold yourself in the position from how bad his slaps burned into your skin. When he was done he pulled down your underwear and stuffed his fingers inside you. 

“Soakin’ my fingers,” he whispered in your ear. You tensed at that. Your nails felt like they were going to snap as you gripped his truck for support. 

You heard the sound of his zipper going down and the ruffling of clothing. If you could make yourself run right now you would’ve been you couldn’t wield yourself to move. Not even an inch. You gasped when you felt his head push into you. It was going to be a tight fit and you didn’t know if you could handle it. He was so thick that you could feel every vein and inch of him. You whimpered when he finally was flushed against you. 

“That’s my good girl,” he said as he smoothed over your ass. 

His touch was soft against you like he was saying sorry for slapping you but his thrusts were deep and rough. He was sending a message through them through each powerful thrust. You moaned at the feel of him and when he pulled you close to him, your back was to his chest. 

“You’re mine now,” he grunted. “No one else gets to use this anymore. Just me, only me.”

You nodded as he fucked you against his truck. You squeezed your eyes shut when he hit a spot within you that had you cursing his name. He held his hand over your mouth and with one final thrust had you seeing stars. You came all over him. He didn’t stop only going in harder than before. You didn’t think he would come inside you not until he whispered breathily about how you were milking him dry. You mumbled under his hand trying to plead with him. But he only chuckled and held his other hand to your stomach. His finger slipped onto your clit rubbing it over and over again. 

You didn’t know you had another in you until you were coming around him a second time. This time it sent him off the edge too. You sobbed when he held himself there planting himself deep inside you. When he pulled out you cringed at the feel of his come dripping down your thighs. No boy has ever came inside you there was no possible way you would ever risk getting pregnant. Yet Arvin did it. Without your permission. You wanted to hit him, to curse at him but you couldn’t even move. Arvin pushed some of his come back into you and pulled your underwear back up. 

“Now go inside and give Lenora a good time.”

You nodded quietly doing what he told you to do. You could barely walk but somehow you made it to Lenora. She could tell something happened to you but to be honest you were too out of it to even notice. Just grabbed her and danced. Here on the floor, you could forget about Arvin and your newfound terrifying relationship with him.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

In The Cold

Warnings: non/dubcon, pregnancy, social dejection, mentions of religion, and other dark elements. Not all kinks or triggers are tagged. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Summary: Your Christmas is set to be a lonely one, but you do your best to share the cheer with your only friend.

Character: Arvin Russell

Day Seven of the December Daze Challenge.

Prompt - cottage!core 

Note: As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

The tension is something you’ll never be used to. The silence is as bad as the hushed voices and the sneering side looks. It's all so suffocating. 

So much as you might’ve earned your judgement, it cannot make them righteous. What was it the pastor extolled; ‘let he who be without sin...’ And why is it that the stones they cast are aimed at you and not the man who joined you in your misdeed? The very one who cozened you into the act?  

Henry still sits on the town council, he still goes home to his wife and other children, he still gets a ‘good morning’ or a ‘good day’, and none bat a single eye along the pew. You can’t even get the same from him these days. He’s a stranger now that your dresses are too tight and your gait is wider and wobbly. Now that his adultery has grown inside of you and continues to, he runs from it. 

You pay at the counter for your meagre fare. Janie fired you not long after the minister’s scolding and none-so-subtle remonstrance of straying innocence. Like your mother and father, she abandoned you to your dejection. You would not stain her Christian mantle. 

The shopkeep, Ted, packs up your goods in the bag without a word. He drops your change on the counter and turns away as you gather it up. Despite that, you still thank him. You lift the bag and hug it above your bump. 

You keep your head down as Esther steps up to the counter with her basket. She makes a comment about the holiness of the coming holidays. Of how Jesus’ birthday should be kept sacred. You know she means you to hear but you don’t show that you do. 

You step out into the chilly winds as they swirl around with a gust of powder. You nearly collide with another as you do. The chuckle that comes with the near-catastrophe eases your nerves. In an instant, the weight is scooped out of your arms. 

“There ya’are,” Arvin greets. He’s the only person in town who talks to you.  

In fact, he’s the only reason you have a place to lay your head. He did up his old shed so you could live there for a while. A barter you insisted on. What would people think if you accepted his invitation to stay in the spare room? Surely worse than the already do. He does not deserve to be tainted by you. 

“You all done for the day?” You ask as you keep your arms crossed. 

“Oh yeah,” he answers brightly, “what’d you get? Anything good...” he sniffs the top of the bag, “I smell cinnamon.” 

You chew your lip, “yeah...” 

You glance at him. He wears his fleece lined denim jacket, the collar greyed with age and a button missing on the right chest pocket. It’s not really enough for that kinda cold. Knockemstiff lives up to its name quite often and the winter will be sure to freeze your bones. 

“Sorry, I’m being nosy,” he chuckles. “You want some candy? Got some in my pocket. Mr. Callahan sent them in with Edwin.” 

“Oh, no, I’m okay,” you blow into your woolen mittens. It’s bitter these days. “Um, I was hopin’... I could make ya dinner tonight. Since ya done so much for me. ‘Fraid I don’t got much else to give right now.” 

“That’d be awfully nice,” he accepts with a bounce in his step, “here.” He shifts the weight of the bag into one arm and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a long shape wrapped in brown paper, the top twisted and tied with ribbon. “Butterscotch.” 

“Arvin, I told ya--” 

“I got lots,” he insists. 

You take it with a thank you. You continue down the packed snow. He’s entirely oblivious to the way Charmain passes with a glare but you feel it in your chest. 

“I was thinking, before the baby comes,” you swallow as the thought bubbles up from the pits of constant dread. “I should leave.” 

“Leave?” He wonders aloud. He looks over at you as snow gathers in his hair, the cold nipping pink his cheeks. He’s two years older than you but looks and seems much younger than you. “Where to?” 

“I got an Aunt a few townships over. She’s the only one still answering my letters. She never had no kids of her own. They all... none of ‘em made it, ya know? I been writing to her and that.” 

“Oh,” his disappointment tweaks in his throat. “Well, you don’t gotta, you know? I don’t mind ya stickin’ ‘round.” 

“I mind. You been so kind already. Once I got the babe, no one gonna take me then neither. No work here, and I’ll be lucky to get a pew on Sundays.” 

“Yeah, well, all these folks be saying they’re godly and how do they act?” His tone edges hotly. “Ain’t godly to turn a soul out. My mama always said so. No soul’ll make it through this world with a dent or two, but the lord’ll forgive.” 

“Mm, she sounds like a nice lady,” you say. 

“She was,” he sniffs. “And so I wouldn’t be puttin’ no shame on her memory by bein’ selfish, ya know? So’s as long as you need it, the shed is yours. I told ya, though, there’s a room inside.” 

“No, no,” you loosen the ribbon and peek inside the paper. The candy stick of twisted sugar is all shades of caramelly brown. You smell it and it plucks at your bottomless hunger. “I don’t mind it. Pa never had the stove goin’ less the snow was past our knees. He always says, if you’re cold, put another sweater on.” 

“Huh,” he scoffs darkly. 

“What?” 

“Yer pa’s the reason you’re in my shed,” he harrumphs. “Sorry for sayin’ it, but I wouldn’t take no advice from a man who’d disown his own blood. He’s the one brought Henry ‘round. They still gettin’ drinks down at the tank.” 

That information is more chilling than the cold. You didn’t know that. You try not to hear things about your father or the man who put this curse in you. 

“I...” he begins crisply, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t gonna tell ya.” 

“Woulda found out soon enough,” you shrug and shove the butterscotch stick in your mouth. You suck on it pensively. It’s sweet but you can hardly enjoy it as your eyes burn with a glaze of tears. 

“So,” he coughs, “what’s for dinner?” 

You pop your lip off the candy, “it’s a surprise,” you say. 

“Oh, I like surprises,” he smiles, not that he ever really stops. Not around you. 

“Well, I hope you like this one,” you drone. 

💝 

You wash the plates from dinner as dessert bakes in the oven. The smell of cinnamon fills the house as you hear Arvin tinkering in the next room. He’s always messing around with something mechanical. You’re not always sure if he’s fixing them or just taking them apart. 

You dry and stack the dishes away. The old house is cozy, quaint. You know it belonged to his parents. It’s still strewn with their memories. As if he’s preserving them in those walls. So you do your best not to disturb it. 

You take the pan out of the oven. The rolled-out dough is perfectly baked and the colour is pristine. The shape resembles their namesake; elephant ears. It’s only dough, sugar, and cinnamon, but so so delicious. Your grandmother used to make them. Despite your current predicament, you’re nostalgic for the simper days. 

You put one on a plate and peek at the doorway. You pause to dig out the parcel you hid under the sink then bring both items out to the front room. You keep the latter behind your back as you approach Arvin. He sits on the floor in front of the burning firestove as he pokes at an old clock with a screwdriver. 

“Here ya go,” you offer him the dessert. “I could make some coffee or tea?” 

“Nah, I’m good,” he puts down the clock and tool, then wipes his hand on the cloth draped over his knee. He reaches up to the take the plate. “Smells good.” He brings the dish down to examine the pastry, “what is it?” 

“Called an elephant ear. Not super fancy.” 

“Looks good,” he grins. “And what’s that?” 

He lifts the baked dough and bites into it as he angles his head as if to see around you. You bring your hand out and present the parcel. 

“Merry Christmas,” you say. “I know it’s not much, and a bit early but it’s gettin’ real cold.” 

He places the plate on the rug and claps his hands off as he chews. His dark eyes sparkle as he takes the bundle wrapped in brown paper. He brings it over his lap and carefully unties the twine. You sway on your feet and rub your stomach as you watch anxiously. 

He uncovers the knitted scarf and cap. He already has thick gloves that he wears for his work. He feels the wool and examines it quietly. You’re suddenly very unsure. 

“You made these? For me?” He looks up. You nod. “Wow, it’s... you lined the cap?” 

“I had a few old pieces I repurposed,” you shrug. 

“It’s...” 

“Not too much. I know. I’m sorry. I don’t make too much these days. People only hire me if no one knows and it’s gettin’ harder to sneak around.” 

He huffs and shakes his head. He lowers his chin and pets the scarf. “It’s everything.” He continues to examine your work. “I hope you don’t mind, my gift’s not ready yet.” 

“Oh, Arvin, you don’t gotta get me nothin’. You done enough.” 

“I want to,” he says. “Now,” he lays down the wool on the rug neatly and grabs his plate. He uncrosses his legs and stands. “Why aren’t you havin’ some dessert? You need to sit down. Let that baby rest. He mustn’t sleep very much with you titterin’ around all the time.” 

“He’s already titterin--” you go to argue and stop with snort. “I think he knows we’re talking about him.” 

You feel your stomach as the baby kicks. Arvin watches your hand on your belly as his brows rise up his forehead. “You think it’s a boy?” 

“Could be. Not too sure. Oof.” You twitch as the baby kicks harder. Then wince again as Arvin puts his hand on you without warning. It’s surprising but not unwelcome. His warmth seeps through your dress. 

“Oh!” He exclaims as the baby beats on your insides. “I can feel him.” 

“It’s a bit early,” you reach back to brace your hips, “he usually waits ‘til I’m in bed.” 

He keeps his hand on you, watching your belly as the baby continues his dance. He seems awestruck by the ripple under your skin. You’re more exhausted of it. 

“I’ll have your present ready soon,” he says. “Promise.” 

💝

Arvin’s truck rumbles up to the house. You were surprised when he drove it into town today. He doesn’t usually start it unless he’s going to fetch firewood or going off for long trips. 

You open the shed door, a blanket around your shoulders as you peek out. His headlights shine through the greyness. It’s still early by your count, unless you lost track again. 

He hops out and stomps through the snow. He waves at you as his hair curls out from under the cap you made him. He wears it every day. You’re happy for that. 

“Merry Christmas,” he calls out. 

“Christmas... it’s still two days away,” you stay behind the door to shield yourself from the winds. 

“Two days!” He claps as he approaches. “Since you gave me my gift early, I got yours ready too.” 

“Mine?” 

“Mmhm. You’re not the only one who can do surprises. So pack a bag.” 

“Pack...” you wonder. 

“Ah, ah, just get a bag, alright?” 

You can see him jittering in excitement. You hate to dampen that but you also feel bad. You made him a hat and scarf. He’s got something planned out that’s gonna at least cost him gas and his time. 

“Oh...” you murmur. 

“Don’t,” he wags a finger. “Really, come on! I wanna get there by dark.” 

“Alright, I’ll be fast.” 

You gently close the door and retreat. You can’t deny him. His words trouble you though. By dark? How far are you going? You don’t want him to do too much. 

You don’t have a lot to take. A few dresses that still fit, some stockings, your sole pair of boots, your coat, and other things just in case. It doesn’t sound like you’ll be coming back tonight. 

You come out in your coat and boots as Arvin keeps the truck idling. He meets you near the hood and takes your bag before he helps you up into the front seat. He gets in the other side and puts your bag between you. 

“Do I get a hint?” You ask. 

“Nope,” he shifts into gear. “Just hold tight.” 

💝

It’s a few hours before Arvin stops. Your eyes scour the sentinel pines all around and fall upon the painted wood of the cabin’s face. The porch pillars are stained a dark blue as the siding stands as white as the snow. It’s only the edgework along the window frames and door that make it visible amid the winterscape. 

You gasp, “Arvin?” 

“Surprise,” he exclaims. 

“What...” 

“My grandfather built this place. Ma’s dad. I been workin’ on it,” he proclaims. 

“Workin’ on it?” 

“Yep! Ma wouldn’t want you raisin’ that boy in a shed.” 

You mull his words and stare at the cabin. “Arvin, my aunt--” 

“I know, she’s a nice woman by the sounds of it. She can always come see us but you know, not many place around that’ll be as nice as her. Not when’s they see a mother with no husband.” 

You shrink down. He’s right. 

“But I’m not--” 

“Like I was saying,” he interjects, “you’re gonna be a mama. Means you need a proper house.” 

He doesn’t wait for you to argue. You don’t have any to offer as you reel in disbelief. Why would he do all this for you? It’s not his baby. You’re not his problem. 

He comes around and offers his hand. You climb out, gripping him tightly, as you flick away your tears. You sniffle and keep your head down as he leads you across the snowy yard. 

“You’re upset?” He asks as he kicks snow off the steps. 

“I’m... surprised,” you croak, trying to hide your face. “Arvin, it’s too much.” 

“Not much at all,” he counters. “But I got a new stove in and the fireplace real nice since I redid the bricks. And I got it all wired up to a gas generator.” 

“Oh,” you puff out as you climb the steps, still latched onto him. You hiccup as your tears flood over. 

“Oh?” He echoes. 

“Arvin,” you babble behind your hand. “Why-- why would you go and do all this for me?” 

“Why wouldn’t I?” He tugs you toward the door. 

“But...” you choke on your words. 

You kick off your feet before you enter. He moves behind you, guiding you from behind with his hands on your arms. He stops you in a dark doorway. He lets go of you and you listen to him shifting around the dimness. He shines a flashlight into the front room. 

“Once I get the lights on, it’ll look better,” he assures. 

You shake your head, “it’s too much.” 

“Nothin’s too much,” he argues again. “Look, you need this place and you need me. You need a husband, don’t ya?” 

“Husband? Arvin, you can’t--” 

“I wanna.” 

“But--” 

“Baby boy’s not mine. No one else needa know. Them folks in Knockemstiff, the don’t go so far. And the next one will be mine. Maybe a girl--” 

“Next one?” 

“Uh huh, gonna give this one lots of brothers and sisters,” he puts his hand on your stomach. 

“I...” your heart sinks from on high. 

He’s quiet, measuring the silence as you do too. You peer into the front room then wince as he turns the light in your direction. You shield yourself as it shines in your eyes. 

“Well, you gonna tell me no?” His voice is low and silty. “Cause I don’t think no one’s gonna take you away from me. Ain’t no one else want you.” 

It’s like a knife sinking into your gut. Your frown and grab his hand, trying to shove it off your stomach. Why would he say that? He twists free of your grasp and clings to you instead. He turns the light under his chin so it casts his features in a sinister glow. 

“Without me, you and that baby’d be frozen to the side of the street,” he sneers. “All’s I’m tryna do is give you everything, you could at least do the same.”