#what're you talking about? she doesn't like Simon

[simonxriley]

Last Line Tag!

I was tagged by the wonderful @lilywatt, thank you! 💜

I actually have something, it's surprising ik 😅. Same stuff as before, another lil snippet of 'when the world falls'.

When she looked over at Logan he had a cheeky smile on his face that raised her brow. “What?” 

“You like him!”

“As a friend, yes. Nothing more.” 

“You keep telling yourself that, Liz.” He laughed. “I know that look.”

She, surprisingly, went quiet after that. In normal cases of Logan joking around with her about how she liked someone she would make a smart remark, this time she’s not entirely sure if he’s right. Or she’s just not believing it. 

“So, are you excited for me to be gone soon?” 

That little smile on his face faded very quickly, if it wasn’t so loud outside you could probably hear his heart drop.

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[majinbangus]

was tempted to write more of this idea of simon x single mom!reader. ty to @weemansoap for the meet cute idea. mention of past abuse/domestic violence in one paragraph, nothing graphic.

-> more here

There's a young lad that can't be more than five or six years of age crouched behind the overgrown bush near the entryway that leads to his flat complex. A strange sight to come home to after months away on deployment. One he's not sure what to make of yet, but Simon approaches, coming up on the kid's blindspot. He doesn't see any parents around. Best find out what this kid is up to.

"Oi, what're you doin' out 'ere, lad?"

The kid startles comedically, nearly falling on his rump, but he manages to catch himself before looking up at Simon, a toothy, mischievous grin on his face. "I'm gonna scare Mama!"

Simon raises an eyebrow. "Your mum doesn't know you're here?"

"No." The boy giggles. "I ran ahead while she was putting on her shoes."

"You shouldn't do that," Simon says, though not quite admonishing him. "You probably scared your mum enough pulling that stunt."

The lad frowns. "I only ran away. What's so scary about that?"

A lot of things. Simon remembers his own mother frantically calling out his name once upon a time. The fear in her eyes. The trembling grip when she finally found him again. The sobbing. The apologies. The promises to be a better mother. The pain she experienced when his father blamed her for losing track of a son he didn't care about. Pain that was Simon's fault. Pain that his father later inflicted on him.

Lots of things are scary when a child runs away. But this lad doesn't need to know the extent.

"Your mum loves you, yeah?" He waits until the kid nods, continuing, "Then it'll always scare her when you runaway. Not knowing where you are. Thinking she lost you. Would it scare you if you lost her?"

"Oh..." The kid looks at the ground, penitent. "I didn't think of it that way."

Simon grunts, studying the lad, debating with himself before deciding fuck it. He clicks his tongue twice and the lad looks up. "Which floor you live on, mate? I'll bring you back to your mum."

"3C."

Simon hums thoughtfully. That one was previously vacant last time he was here. "Right next to me."

The lad perks up. "Really?"

He nods, gesturing towards the building, ready to guide the kid back home, but a voice suddenly rings out like a shock of ice water running down his back.

"Simon, you stay right there, young man!"

For a brief- very brief- second, Simon tenses up. He hasn't heard that angry motherly tone stemmed from fear directed at him since he was a boy. Part of him feels reprimanded, as if he needs to bow his head and meekly apologize for upsetting his mother, fleeting memories of his mum scolding him flashing through his brain. But the feeling quickly dissipates when he sees you, frazzled and anxious, running towards him like an unstoppable force that reminds him of the ocean wind.

It's a stunning sight, Simon notes absently; however, he doesn't take any longer to admire the view you make running towards him. Or, well, the boy. Rather than looking at Simon, you're looking at the lad he's been talking to, a wild, worried look in your eyes the closer you get, glancing at Simon quickly, warily, then back at the boy, the look of a mother bear ready to defend her cub gracing your features, and that's when it clicks.

Ah. Simon.

Your boy's name is Simon.

Funny, that. It almost makes him snort.

The lad in question doesn't seem to register your near feral state, but Simon steps away from your wayward son as to not aggravate you any further.

"Mama, I made a friend!" Your son announces proudly once you rush up to them. "He lives next to us! In, um..."

"3A," Simon interjects when the kid falters. You glance at him in acknowledgment before turning back to your child.

"Oh? How sweet." You smile tightly at the lad, giving him a subtle once over for anything out of place, and reach out to gently tug him further away from Simon, crouching to pick him up. "It's good to make friends with the neighbors, honey, but you can't go running off like that. I was worried when you took off without warning."

The boy in your arms looks properly contrite, bowing his head and wrapping his arms around your neck, voice muffled as he apologizes, "I know. I'm sorry, Mama. I won't runaway ever again. Promise. The nice man told me you would be upset."

"Did he?" You look at Simon, gaze still guarded but there's a hint of something grateful in your eyes. "Well, he was right. I was upset, but as long as you keep your promise, you're forgiven."

His little name twin perks up, giggling and hugging you tighter. "I will! I love you, Mama."

"I love you, too, hon." You give your son a tender look, pressing a kiss to his temple, but it drops once you look at Simon, studying him with a cautious look. You hesitate for a second longer before adjusting your hold on your boy then hold a hand out, giving him your name and your gratitude. "3A? Are you new? I haven't seen you around... Regardless, thank you for keeping an eye on this one. I hope he didn't cause you any trouble."

"I travel for work." He grips your hand and gives it a squeeze, "And he didn't. Your boy's a good lad. I'm Simon."

Your eyebrows lift, mouth dropping slightly agape and hand lingering in his perhaps a tad too long before you recover, letting go, and smile sweetly at your boy who stares up at him with wide, awed eyes. "My name is Simon, too!"

You don't make a sound, but Simon can see you shake with silent laughter, your eyes sparkling for the child in your arms. He catches your eye, and you tilt your head with a hopeful, doe-eyed look for him to indulge your boy a little longer.

Ah, what the hell.

"Really?" Simon raises a disbelieving brow. "Since when?"

"Since I was born!" The boy laughs and you shoot Simon a genuine smile. "You're funny, Simon."

Oh, Johnny could tell your boy just how funny he could really be. He can already hear the groan his sergeant would give.

Don't put the poor lad through that, LT.

He's not hearing any complaints, Johnny. The lad seems to appreciates his humor. And you do too from the looks of it.

"It's a fine name, innit?"

"Uh-huh! Mama named me!"

He switches to look at you. "That right?"

Your smile turns a hint shy under his attention, but you nod with a noncommittal hum, adding nothing more to the conversation. Instead, you start your own. An abrupt, obvious dismissal. "Well, sorry to hold you up, Simon, but we should get going. This Simon needs to go school supply shopping."

Your son pouts, but otherwise doesn't complain. Good lad.

"Say goodbye to," your eyes wash over him, darting up and down, properly taking him in, "Big Simon, Simon."

A rush of amusement passes through him. That's a new one. Not the worst thing he's ever heard, but certainly accurate. He might even like it.

Big Simon tilts his head, raising a brow, and immediately you fluster at the nickname you've given him, eyes widening and head ducking down so you don't have to look him in the eyes, but it's too late to take it back. Little Simon is already waving goodbye at him.

"Bye, Simon, it was nice to meet you!"

There's a flash, and for a moment, Simon sees another young lad waving at him in another mother's arms, another Riley's voice echoing in his ear, asking him when he's gonna settle down, but then they're gone in a blink and he's looking at you and Little Simon again.

It almost makes him pause, but Simon forces them out of his mind and focuses on you and the boy in your arms.

"Nice to meet you too, kid." He gestures to you next. "Be good for your mum. She's a lovely lady, and lovely ladies deserve the best, yeah?"

Your son agrees with an enthusiastic nod, but while he remains oblivious to your flustered state, Simon feels an unfamiliar sort of satisfaction when you stutter out your own goodbyes, leaving him to ponder on things he hasn't thought of in years.

Settle down, huh? That's not for him, but looking at you and your lad...

Simon can almost see the appeal in a domestic life.

-

wrote this kinda sleepy, idk how I feel about it hope its alright tho

[tacticaldiary]

A Fighting Chance

Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader

Genre: Hurt/Comfort

"When was the last time you kissed me and meant it?" Her voice drops into something akin to defeat.

And Simon...Simon feels like the rug's been pulled from under his feet.

Part 2, Masterlist,

"What're those?"

"Papers."

Ghost pauses halfway through opening the document, glancing up at the curtness of her voice. "Papers? She doesn't meet his eyes, gaze fixed on the table of the little booth they're sitting in.

The ice in her drink is long gone, watering down her coffee into something that tastes as bitter as her heart.

It had taken months for her to finally make this decision. Days of talking with her lawyer, crying alone at night and coming to the gruelling acceptance that this was for the best. It was best for both of them.

There's not many things that unsettle Simon. He's had blood stain his hands; his own, his comrades, and his enemies. Had almost any injury you could think of marring his skin, been prodded and ripped into, been the one on the opposite end of the knife.

But as he slides out the documents, turns them over, Simon's never felt more apprehensive.

He stills, reading the first few lines, clenching his jaw. "What is this?"

"I want a divorce."

And something in him crumbles at her defeated tone. Like she's already decided. Like he doesn't even have a chance to ask why or talk it through.

"No." He says tightly, putting them down and crossing his arms.

Her gaze shoots to his. "You can't just say that."

"I did. I won't sign them."

"I want this." She argues, and Simon swallows back the lump in his throat at how utterly tired she looks.

"I don't."

She's the light of his life, the one good, untouched piece of joy he gets to see. Something other than the bloodshed and violence he lives in.

"Simon," She says, shoulders sagging forward. "I can't do this anymore."

"This isn't the solution, love." He feels like his skin is crawling, the beginnings of unfamiliar panic clawing at his chest when she doesn't react to the pet name.

Doesn't smile, doesn't flush that beautiful red, doesn't squirm.

When she doesn't respond again, tight-lipped and clammed up and so determined to not look at him, he asks the question burning a hole through his tongue.

"Why?"

Deep down he knows. Knew this was coming but that part of him is buried under the thudding of his heart, and the rush of blood in his ears. Everything feels deathly still and moving too fast at the same time.

"Why?" She repeats, something in her stirring at the question. Her brow furrows and she switches from a cautious indifference to disbelief and frustration quicker than Simon can process. "Are you serious?" She huffs out an incredulous laugh. "You're away for months at a time and I'm supposed to what? Wait for you at our doorstep and wag my tail all happy when you finally come back to me?" Her grip tightens on her drink.

"Even when you are home, it's never about us. Never about me and you. You lock yourself in your study with your work, don't talk to me unless you come out for dinner or lunch. When was the last time we went out?" She demands. "When was the last time we went on a date? The last time we slept at the same time in the same bed?"

Simon clenches his jaw but says nothing, at a loss for words. It only encourages her to keep going, spewing thoughts that have been boiling over for the past few years.

"You barely look at me when we're home, I had to drag you out of the house to get here! You left halfway through our anniversary dinner last year because work called you in. Sometimes...sometimes I feel like you're only with me because it's easier than leaving and starting over, and that fucking hurts. It hurts when you can't bear to spend five minutes with me away from work. I've been telling you this for ages but you just...you don't listen to me." She leans forward, drink completely forgotten and hits the final nail in the coffin.

"When was the last time you kissed me and meant it?" Her voice drops into something akin to defeat.

And Simon...Simon feels like the rug's been pulled from under his feet.

"I never even know if you're coming home to me." Her voice cracks, and she hugs her middle, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "So yes, Simon, I want to separate. I'm not happy, not like I was when I met you." A sheen of tears she refuses to let fall.

"You can focus on work like you love to, and I can...I can move on."

It was so good when they started out. She found him endearing, dry humour and brooding and all. It was special, those first few years, and she'll always care about him but this...this waiting, this hurting, laying in bed at night alone and cold and crying...it wasn't right. It wasn't what she wanted and she wouldn't force Simon to want it when he clearly didn't want to.

"Fucking hell, I love you." Simon says quickly, stumbling over what to say. He reaches out for her hand on the table, but she pulls it away before he can grab it. It stings more than he can convey, makes the reality crashes down onto him.

He's about to lose her.

Because he couldn't fucking bear to pull himself out of being 'Ghost'.

It was always a rough couple of weeks during his leave. The adjustment to civilian life was a slow one for him, but that's not really an excuse at all.

"I don't think you do."

Simon blinks at her like she's slapped him. "You...you don't think so?" He repeats, running a hand through his hair. She nods, one nod, quick and so sure that it makes his chest ache.

Fuck. He's absolutely messed up.

"Everything's finalised on my end." She says. "You just need to sign them." Her voice is soft, almost like she's coaxing him.

If there's one thing he knows, it's that he's not touching those fucking papers. He's not losing someone he loves again.

"I'll take time off." He says, the intensity of his gaze makes a shiver run down her spine. "We can work through it, yeah? You can't spring this on me and not give me a chance to protest."

She shakes her head, "You're only taking time off because I'm upset." She tries to explain. "What do you think is going to happen? We spend a month together doing what we used to, and when everything's a little more stable you leave again. Distance yourself. Shut me out. Then we're back to square one."

"Won't happen." He says like he hasn't been doing it for the past few years already. "You...I can't lose you, darling." He leans forward. "Let me make it better. Give me a few months-"

"Simon-"

"A week."

"A week?" Her eyes widen. "A week to...what, prove that you'll change?"

"One week."

She worries her lip between her teeth, considering. One week wasn't a long time, but hope was dangerous in a situation like this.

"I'm not letting you go over something like this." Simon says. "I can't."

"This isn't about you." She crosses her arms. "You really think you can turn just...reverse the past few years in a week?" Maybe it's foolish of her to want him to say yes, to fight for her and realise that she's been hurting, but goddamn doesn't a small part of her scream at him to do it anyway.

"Not trying to reverse it." He folds his arms, and she can see the tense line of his shoulders as he takes in the situation, gears turning in his head as he plans how he's going to work his way out of a situation so precious and daunting as this.

Part of him didn't think it would ever come to this. Yes, he can be cold and aloof but Simon thought she knew that he loved her through it all. No matter what.

When was the last time you kissed me and meant it?

Fuck if that doesn't tear through his chest more painfully than any caliber bullet ever could.

He takes her in quietly for a moment.

The woman he fell in love with. The person that gave him a reason to keep going, a motive to feel anything other than the cold efficientness of loading a gun and firing. Soft touches and warm smiles, something so at odds with the rough life he's used to.

Sitting there in front of him, she looks more beautiful than he remembers, and it only proves to make his stomach sink like a stone at the notion of seeding any doubt about his feelings in her heart.

A right fucking bastard he was for it.

"I'm sorry." He breathes out, much softer than the gruff voice he's been using with her. "I'll do better. Just give me a chance, yeah?"

For one horrible moment, Simon thinks she'll decline. That she'll slide over the papers again and demand he sign them.

But she considers his words for a moment before nodding once.

And it's all he needs.

A fighting chance.

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Part 2

(11/10/2023)

[hilarioushilarity]

ROADTRIP AU

"Okay," says Simon, ever the practical one. "But where are we going?"

They're somewhere outside Linköping, parked at petrol station that's deserted save for the disinterested kid behind the counter who barely gives them a second glance when they pile through the door, giggling. Perhaps they look like any other group of teens, letting loose after another year of school. Perhaps, Wille thinks to himself, they look normal. The thought is euphoric.

There's a nudge to his side. "What're you smiling about?" asks Felice. He can hear Simon and Sara bickering about whether they should stay the night in Linköping or try to make it to Norrköping.

"C'mon -" that's Simon. "It's going to take another hour to get there and I'm starving."

There's a disparaging noise. "It's literally forty minutes, you'll live."

"Forty minutes!"

From his side, there's a soft laugh. "I see," says Felice. Wille tears his gaze away from Simon's smile to see Felice's knowing look.

"Sorry," he says, wincing. "I just, um."

"Say no more." Felice's smile is mischievous. "Any thoughts on how long the honeymoon period'll last?" Wille feels his cheeks go warm. "Right. It'll last forever, obviously."

"It's not going to last forever -" Wille protests, although she's probably not wrong, not if Wille gets his way on this.

"Just a very, very long time," Felice finishes for him, at the same time Simon laughs, loud and joyous, in a way Wille realises he hasn't heard Simon laugh in a long time.

Distracted, he says, "Yeah, that," before he can stop himself. "Stop laughing," he grouses, when Felice immediately starts snickering. "Okay, okay, you're probably right."

Simon tucks himself into the space beside him. "What's Felice right about?"

"Everything," Wille sighs, as Felice snickers harder. "I think I just need to start accepting that."

"Damn straight you do," Felice informs him before wandering off to see what Sara is up to, leaving Wille behind with Simon under his arm, warm, comforting.

"So," he says. A part of him still can't believe that he's here, standing in a random petrol station in the middle of nowhere, the love of his life beside him. Hardly anywhere he's been to has been anything less than utterly premeditated within an inch of its life and completely devoid of any warmth. "What'd you and Sara decide on?"

"Oh. Well, we settled on a compromise."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, we're having lunch here and then we're going to Norrköping for the night." Simon pauses, before pulling back to look at Wille. "Wait. What do you want to do, though? You and Felice. Sorry, we should've asked you guys first."

Wille shakes his head. "Anything's fine."

"Anything?"

"I mean, ideally we'd eat something edible at some point and sleep somewhere that's not in the car, but yeah." He watches Simon blink, visibly baffled, and feels compelled to add, "I'm not the Crown Prince anymore. I can do whatever I want now."

"Yeah, but -" Simon trails off.

"But what?"

There's a pause, then Simon squares his shoulders, the way he always does when he's summoning the courage to say something he doesn't want to say. "I just don't want you to feel like you're slumming it."

"I won't. I promise. Even if we sleep in a tent," he adds. "Actually, maybe especially if we sleep in a tent. Because the last time we did was -" Wille winces at the flood of shame. "Sorry. I never actually apologised for that. I never actually - oh god, I never apologised for so many things these past few months, have I? I'm sorry, Simon. For everything."

He looks up, still wincing, to see Simon biting his lip. "Sorry," he says again, for good measure. He wonders if he sounds like a broken record, although in fairness, he does have a lot to be apologetic about.

One of Simon's hands slips into Wille's. "Hey," says Simon. "It's okay. I forgive you." There's a squeeze to Wille's fingers when he opens his mouth. "I promise, Wille. It's okay. I mean, we should talk about it more at some point, but just know that I forgave you a long time ago."

The thing about Simon, Wille's discovered, is that he has a seemingly bottomless well of forgiveness and patience in his heart, one that Wille himself has been a beneficiary of since the day they've met. Now, he feels a surge of protectiveness, an urge to never let that heart be hurt again.

"Okay," he says, rather than giving voice to any of those thoughts which would earn him a fond sigh. He resolves to lock it into his own heart instead, hopes that it'll guide him for the rest of his life - which, even more hopefully, will be the rest of their lives.

Simon gently squeezes his hand again. "Okay?"

Wille nods, wrapping his free hand around Simon's, cradling those precious fingers between his palms. "Yeah. Let's talk about it more, but thank you. For forgiving me."

Simon's smile is the sun breaking through the clouds. "Let's go have lunch, now. I'm hungry."

"I know," Wille tells him, letting himself be tugged to the counter, where Felice and Sara are busy checking out what looks like a small mountain of snacks. "I heard. D'you think they heard your stomach grumbling all the way back at Hillerska?"

Simon's mouth drops open in outrage. "You take that back, my stomach does not grumble that loudly."

"Oh yeah it does."

"It does not -"

"Maybe I should call up Nils and see if he heard it -"

Wille gets tackled around the midriff. "You really should eat more," he says, mock-thoughtful, as they stagger about the store in a tangle of limbs. "It's like being attacked by a kitten."

"I am going to fucking -"

"Boys," says Felice from where she's tapping her card against the machine. "Can you keep it in your pants for two seconds?"

"Felice!" Wille yelps, feeling his cheeks go flaming red. Simon doesn't look like he's faring much better. Sara bites his lip, visibly holding back laughter.

"Hey," says the kid at the counter, looking engaged for the first time since they walked into the store. "You guys look familiar."

"Um," says Wille. They all exchange glances. "Do we?"

"Yeah. Aren't you like that guy from TV, the Crown Prince?"

"Oh, well, in that case, definitely no," Felice says. "No Crown Princes in this store."

"Nope," Simon agrees.

"Nada," says Sara.

"Oh, okay," says the kid. He shrugs, not looking too torn up. "Well, have a good day I guess."

"You too," they chorus. They manage to file out the store and back into the car, before Simon cracks, snorting, and promptly setting the rest of them off.

"Oh my god," says Sara. "Oh my god."

"D'you think he's going to post about it?"

"Who cares," says Wille, feeling incandescent. "Let him."

"Fucking amen," says Felice. "Alright. Where are we going for lunch?"

Simon and Sara share a look. "Okay, so I know you're not the Crown Prince and you don't represent Sweden anymore," begins Simon.

Oh no. "Where are we going?"

"IKEA," says Simon, and goes down laughing when Wille tackles him.

[gazsluckyhat]

Phantom Pains

Intro - Sun Bleached

You can thank Hozier for the inspiration for this one. That and everyone talking about cowboy Ghost. This is gonna be a lighter story apposed to Sarah's House. Some sad elements and smut. I hope you enjoy!

-bunny

Simon knew he'd messed up. The fire he'd started burning down everything and he didn't stay to pick up the pieces. Now, years later he's back. The place he'd called home for so long the only safe place he could think of, the family inside broken and burned. He think's it might be too late to fix.

or

You can always come back home

The house looked exactly how it did when he was eighteen. The paint had faded and the once red shutters had been sun bleached. But the red door looked the same. The fence around the property had been updated and the mailbox replaced. But it felt the same. He felt the same. The nervousness and fear sitting heavy in his broad chest. She might not even let him in. Might not even be home.

"Are 'ya gonna even knock, LT?" Johnny pipes up behind him and knocks him out of his funk, hands unclenching. He nods and raps at the door, the sound echoing in his ears. He can hear barking and wonders if it's Apple, even though she'd be ancient by now. It's only a few minutes before he hears her. Her voice matured now, telling the animal to hush. The southern drawl still evident in her voice. He can hear her unlocking the door and then pulling it open.

"Yeah?" She freezes when she sees him. Confusion in her blue eyes. Ghost can't breath, eyes stuck on her face. Fifteen years and she looks the same. Wide and bright blue eyes he used to get lost in, chubby cheeks he loved to pinch, and the same mouth he used to kiss. He can tell when she realzes who he is. Her eyes studying him for a second before she straightens up and speaks.

"Simon?" God he missed how she'd say his name. He nods, finally gaining the ability to speak.

"Peach." Her cheeks flame and that’s when she sees the men behind him.

"What're ya' doin' here Simon?" Her eyes are hard, something unreadable on her face.

"Need yor' help Peach." She shakes her head.

"Ya' know my names Cecilia." He feels that pang in his chest again. "And how can I help ya'll?" She's eyeing Johnny, the mischievous air about him. Ghost clears his throat.

"We're in some trouble, need a safe place." Her eyes narrow.

"Safe place? And you think this is some boarding house, do ya'? I'm s'posed to just welcome you back in like nothing ever happened?" This time it's his cheeks that flame under his baklava. The shame creeping up his bones.

"Pea-" She cuts him off.

"Cecilia, Simon. You've lost the right." She glowering at him.

"Please Cece, I know I've fucked up. Just let us in and we'll explain." Her eyes go to Price, clocking him as the leader.

"You, care to explain?" Her hand on her hip, she crooks her finger at him. "Inside, just you." Price shuffles past him and she slams the door shut in Ghost's face. Johnny slaps his shoulder and laughs.

"D'know what ya' did, Lt, but she seems pissed." Ghost pushes him and sit on the stairs, same ones he built all those years ago.

 He doesn't know how long they sat out there just waiting, but he was up the second the door cracked open. It was Price who stood before them, a small smile on his face.

"You got a smart girl Simon." The hes nodding into the open house. "C'mon."

The entry way was the same as well, the mat was new but the same table, key bowl, and pictures lined it. They found her in the kitchen, mixing a pitcher of sweet tea. It too was the same, the whole house was. At her feet was Apple, grey taking over most of the brown fur now. Another, slightly bigger dog was rushing over, tail wagging. Cecilia turned, clicking her tongue.

"Kiwi, off." The dog ran back to her feet, Apple getting up and making her way to Ghost. Knelling he petted her.

"Hey old girl." She nudged her head into his stomach. "Still so sweet huh?"

"Last year, she got into it with a cotote." Cecilia set the mixing spoon in the sink and put the pitcher in the fridge. "Came out on top, but lost a whole lotta blood. Didn't think she was gonna make it."

"Looks the same now, still a fighter." He placed a clothed kiss to the dogs head and stood up. She walked towards them, opening the backdoor so Kiwi could run out, Apple following behind.

"Got Kiwi to heard since Apple's getting' older. Damn dog is a pain." She leans agaisnt the counter and crosses her arms. "Ya'll can stay but I got rules, Simon you already know 'em." Ghost nods, her father's voice clear in his head even after so long.

"One, don't gotta pay rent but you will work for you board. Everyone pulls their weight 'round here. Two, clean up after yourself. I ain't your mama and I'm not cleaning up after ya'. Three, no funny business. Don't be bring girls or guy in here and fooling 'round. My mama will have a fit." At the mention of her mama Ghost perks up.

"Liz is here?" He ask cautiously. His heart warming up at the older lady. Cece nods.

"Still in her and daddy's room. She's sleeping now, today's been a rough one." Ghost nods, planning to ask her what happened later. "We get up at five. Gotta feed the animals, I make breakfast every mornin'. With ya'll here I'll have it ready by seven. Lunch at twelve. Dinner is every night at six, but Fridays. Those are rodeo nights. 'Member those Simon?" She has that twinkle in her eye. Ghost chuckles and rubs the back of his neck.

"Mmhm. Course. Still gotta couple scars." She chuckles.

"Ya'll lookin' at one of the best bull riders this town's seen in years." They at gawk at him, Johnny perking up and opening his big mouth.

"Like ridin' Lt?" Kyle laughs, cheeks darkening. "Fall a lot?"

"Should've seen him. Could get a bull calm in seconds, held on longer than half the boys raised here."

"'Nough bout me." He can't stand the attention. Cece laughs and nods towards the back half of the farmhouse.

"Room's still the same. Simon, we fixed up the out building after you left. Daddy swearing you'd come back. There's enough room for all four of ya'll." She opened the door to the sun room, finer pointing to the building he'd made his home. "Added heat and all. Even fixed up the bathroom. Bed's might not be the best but we can fix it later on."

"Same key?" She nods, fisting the same old key into his open palm.

"Still gotta jiggle it. And I've got some of daddy's things ya'll can have. Captain said this was all last minute so we'll work on getting the other stuff."

"When'd he pass?" Ghost notices the way she looks away.

"Two winters after ya' left. Got sick and couldn't shake it. Mama ain't been the same since. He swore that'd you'd be back. Said you'd realize this was you're home. Just had to sort yourself out first." She holds his stare, the pain clear in her eyes.

"Peach, I'm.."

"Soap? Mowhawk right?" Price nods. "Come help me get the boxes outta the attic. Simon go show 'em the place." Then she's walking off, Soap following behind her. Leaving Ghost to think about what he'd done.

[annaphoenix1994]

Ch.83 - No Such Thing as Quick

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

^ GIF is self-explanatory; Simon and Kiera engage in much-anticipated sex.

A/N: I got carried away with this smut chapter and I'm not sorry about it. Please enjoy because I know I did.

Simon lay on the couch with Evie on his chest, a pacifier between her lips as she slept soundly, her right hand clasped around the chain of Simon's dog tags, leaving them exposed as he knew they always sparked curiosity in her, using them to his advantage as Evie was still restless after returning home. 

His lids became heavy as the steady heat from the fireplace kept his skin warm, listening to the light clatter of pots and pans colliding in the kitchen nearby as Kiera was preparing for dinner, keeping the baby monitor on the counter to listen for signs of Jacob waking up from his nap, satisfied that he was rather hungry after his appointment, assuring his mother that a long nap would follow, giving her plenty of time to get things done around the house while she had the advantage. 

As Simon's eyes were about to shut for a nap himself, they shot open at Kiera's hushed scolding, knowing immediately that the cat had gotten up to mischief. "Church! You motherfucker! Stop trying to knock the glasses off of the counter!" She scolded, picking up the cat and setting him on the floor, hating how he was always entitled to jump up on the counter as he was always nosy when Kiera tried to cook. 

He breathed a chuckle at her slight aggravation, moving slowly to stretch his arm above his head to cradle the crown of his skull in the crook of his elbow, sighing through his nose while his eyes looked down to Evie, suckling calmly on the pacifier and her eyes relaxed closed. His free hand rested on Evie's back, keeping her secure against his chest just in case she tried to roll over in her sleep while the remote to the television rested on his hip, purposely putting on a show Kiera liked as she had a habit of trying to watch the television while the oven pre-heated or when she was cutting vegetables, Simon putting on a show that matched her mood. 

When she was in a loving mood, he put on This Is Us.

When she was in a funny mood, he put on Reba, Jackass or Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory

When she was in a frustrated mood, he put on 90 Day Fiancé. Which he understood, because when he'd watch it with her, he became frustrated too. Especially with how ignorant and oblivious to how some of the people were. Love is definitely blind, he would think. But my eyes are wide open with Kiera. I see no flaws. 

On this particular day, he put on Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, smirking at the sound of Kiera's distant giggles every time something happened, finding the show just as amusing as he wished he could have that much fun in his younger years.

"Do you need any help, love?" He asked, looking up at her as she sat on the edge of the couch, her eyes locked on the commotion within the television show as her free hand rubbed circles along his sleeved arm. 

"I'm alright, babe. Just passing the time while I'm waiting for the water to boil." She assured him, moving her hand up his arm to rest on his shoulder, slowly moving its way to his hair, pushing it back away from his face, his eyes growing heavy with every delicate stroke of her fingers. 

"What're you making tonight?" 

"Steak tips, macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes, creamed corn, and sweet peas." She smiled. 

"What's the occasion?" He chuckled, moving his head to kiss her palm as it cupped his cheek. 

"Remember? You invited Price over for dinner tonight since he didn't want to participate in the festivities the wranglers are hosting tonight." 

He shrugged, "What festivities?" 

"Teeter put it together." 

"Bloody hell," He scoffed. "I can understand why he doesn't want to participate." 

"Teeter was explaining to Gaz and Rudy that she can team rope while being plastered. They didn't believe it, so she and the wranglers talked them into trying and if they fall off, they have to play Cowboy Poker." 

"Christ," He grumbled. "Please tell me they're not using a horned bull." 

"You should know better than that, babe," She giggled. "For the first round they won't." 

"Remind me to go down there and check on them." 

"They'll be fine, Simon. We'll go down there after dinner and when I put the kids to bed." 

"Okay, love. What time is Price supposed to be up here?" 

"Around seven. Him and Alejandro went into town to pick up some tequila. Alejandro was wanting to have a "Mexican Welcome" of his own by grilling at the barn for the wranglers." 

"I grow more worried the more you tell me what their plans are." He chuckled. 

"Trust me, I am too, especially if it was Teeter's idea, but I'm going to assume that no news is good news and that they really don't fuck with a bull." 

"I hope so," He sighed, his eyes wandering over her, pupils dilated at the sight of her in his military sweatshirt - a sweatshirt that he wasn't able to fit in anymore due to his muscle gain. "I hope you plan on changing before Price gets here." 

She giggled, "I will. I know it's not appropriate to wear just your shirt without anything underneath." 

She watched his breath hitch at the thought of the new information, Simon assuming she had been wearing a pair of shorts under his shirt instead of just panties. "Don't tell me that." He sighed, his heartrate quickening. 

"And why not?" 

"Starting something you can't finish, love." He arched his brow. 

His index finger couldn't help but twitch as she bit her bottom lip playfully, "Oh, I'm not going to start anything unless you have a condom. Can't risk getting pregnant again so soon." She teased. 

"Give me a half hour to go into town and back, then." He smirked. 

"By the time you get back, we won't have much time before Price gets here," She shook her head with a giggle. "But I'd consider it knowing you can make it quick." 

She knew it was a lie, but fuck if she didn't enjoy teasing him about it.

Mainly knowing that he always made it a point to last just ten minutes longer when she was overstimulated and begging for a release.

He scoffed, "Then I'll pull out." 

"We both know that's a lie, babe." 

"You're right. Can't help it." He chuckled playfully. He knew he could if it came down to it, but he enjoyed teasing her. 

"My point exactly," She giggled, leaning down to press a kiss to his lips. "Until you can control yourself or get a condom, I'm going to continue making dinner for us and our guest." 

He huffed at her answer, licking his lips as he took a glance at her rear as she got up, knowing exactly what was underneath that sweatshirt. 

He waited until she got back into the kitchen, looking down to see Evie sleeping soundly against his chest, holding the same position except her grip on his dog tags had loosened, letting him know that she was fully asleep. He got up quietly, seeing that Kiera hadn't noticed him stand up to take Evie into the nursery, laying her down in her crip and swaddling her with the handmade blanket Eva had made for her, Jacob having one to match except he was growing to not being a fan of being swaddled in the evening, seeming to want more room for his arms as his habit was stretching his arms to the side as he slept. 

Ensuring Evie wasn't disturbed when he ensured she was comfortable in her crib, he refrained from closing the door completely by leaving a slight crack in the doorframe before proceeding on the mission that Kiera had started. 

The couple had refrained from being intimate due to Kiera's healing journey which Simon respected, having no problem waiting to have sex until she was ready, although many conversations occurred during the predicted abstinence trial after having her C-Section. 

His steps were silent as he approached her from behind, his gaze targeting her as she had her back facing him while she had been washing the potatoes in the sink, his senses going mad at the sight of her hair in a messy bun to keep her hair from her eyes as she worked. 

Steadily, his hands found their place on her waist, Kiera gasping at his sudden appearance from behind her. "You like teasing me, yeah?" He whispered, nuzzling his face against her bare neck, placing a kiss where he felt her pulse quicken with excitement. He knew she was getting aroused, imagining how wet she was getting just by his touch alone. She may deny it was a playful remark, but he knew her body like the back of his hand just as much as he imagined his palm was her on occasion. 

By instinct, she arched her back against him, her head lulling to the side to give him better access to her neck. "I gain enjoyment out of it." She hummed, inviting him further by her body language, pressing her thighs together subtly, feeling an enticing throb from between her legs, imagining how he could bend her over the counter effortlessly. 

"Just like I gain enjoyment out of watching you try to hide your arousal from me, love," He whispered against her neck, using his left arm to reach in front of her to turn off the water flow on the sink before grasping the sink basin where it met the counter, his veins protruding with arousal. 

"Is that right?" She giggled, feeling him hum against her neck before placing another kiss there.

"I can almost hear your heartbeat," He whispered. "Just like your thighs are pressing together." 

She bit her lip as she turned around in his arms, caged between him and the counter as he pressed his lips to her forehead while her arms snaked around his shoulders. "We just have to be careful, babe." 

He nodded, placing another kiss to her forehead before stepping aside to reach to turn off the stove before quickly and tenderly picking her up, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, holding her securely against him with one arm while the other grasped the baby monitor to take with him. She giggled as she placed kisses along his jaw and cheek while he closed the bedroom door with his foot. "What're we going to do if Price comes over early?" 

"He'll understand." He grumbled, using his knee to brace himself as he easily lowered her onto their made bed, careful not to lay his entire weight on her to refrain from putting pressure on the healing scar from her C-Section. 

His kisses were gentle and passionate, letting her hands explore his body while his made a trail of their own, one arm propping himself up next to her head while the other trailed down her side and towards the inside of her thighs, cupping her through her underwear, feeling the soaked pad of her underwear. "Fuck, love." He grumbled into her mouth. 

"What is it?" 

"You're so wet, I'm afraid you won't be able to feel me." He rasped, his heartrate increasing at his discovery. 

"Only one way to find out, baby." She panted, her fingers splayed through his hair. His fingers curled around the pad of her underwear, the top of his fingers already soaked before he could even get her underwear off completely. He tossed them to the floor, his lips starting at the inside of her knee, his lips leaving one kiss along their trail until they reached her core, an immensely sweet taste engulfing his tongue, Simon unable to restrain the satisfied groan that left his lips, the vibration around her clit making her gasp in pleasure, her thighs nearly caging his head in place. 

His tongue made slow, sensual strokes between her folds, his free hand coming up to line up the tip of his index finger with her entrance, watching it slowly disappear within her and making his cock twitch almost painfully. He didn't care about his pleasure when it came to their time in the bedroom, his sole purpose but pleasing her before himself. And tonight, it was about her pleasure. 

"Best be quiet, love," He said against her core, a sharp reminder of their reason to be quiet, the vibrations from his mouth causing her to tremble. "Don't want to wake them too early." 

"I'm never quiet when I'm like this," She giggled. "Guess you'll just have to make me." 

He huffed a chuckle against her, pressing a kiss to her inner thigh before standing to his feet to walk around the bed, removing his shirt and tossing it onto the bed, sitting on his knees to look down at her, bringing his shirt into her view, Kiera unintentionally giving him the ultimate siren eyes that drove him wild, begging him. "Open that pretty mouth, love." 

She smirked, doing as she was told, watching him fold one of his sleeves before placing it between her teeth, using the remaining fabric to cover her eyes while he used the other sleeve to wrap around her head and tying it off upon itself. "Good girl," He praised. "If you get uncomfortable, just tap on my arm." 

She nodded, her breathing quickened as she felt his presence move throughout the room, hearing him open up the drawer from her nightstand, knowing that he was getting an ally. Oh, fuck, I have two toys in there! She wondered. Which one is he going to use?!

He chose the butterfly dildo and vibrator, smirking as it nowhere near resembled his size, thinking it was cute how she could still satisfy herself with such a smaller toy. He turned it on, pressing the tip of it to the outside of her hip, tracing it along her bare skin and to the inside of her thighs, feeling her tense of nervousness as she sensed the light turning on, growing immediately insecure that he was seeing her core in direct light again, forcing herself to remember that he never would judge her. She felt him lay between her thighs, putting the vibrator on its lowest setting before testing it against her clit, hearing a muffled gasp leave her lips before he pressed the tip to her entrance, teasingly pushing it in, watching how she contracted her muscles unintentionally as if she were trying to suck it in herself. 

His cock couldn't help but twitch as he thought about how he felt it when he would slide himself inside of her. Fuckin' amazing, he mused. His eyes kept their gaze on her as the tip disappeared within her, feeling slight resistance from how tight she was, leaving a glare on the silicone with every slow thrust, his eyes glancing up at her as she arched her back, muffling another moan once she felt the vibrations against her G-Spot. 

After a few thrusts, he used his thumb to turn on the butterfly of the vibrator, sheathing it fully inside of her before the butterfly could make contact with her clit, hearing a wince and a moan leave her lips as her hands trailed down to find his free hand, letting her dig her nails into the skin between his thumb and index finger. She felt weightless as he continued to use the toy on her, wondering how he knew to use it better than her own when she would use it, but she didn't care as she always knew that he knew exactly what he was doing. 

She heard him groan as well as the sounds the vibrator made once he pulled it out before pushing it back in, unaware that Simon was groaning at the sight of a faint white ring pooling at the base of the vibrator, answering his assumption of how wet she truly was. "Fuuuuckkin' hell, love. Not even a half-hour in and you're already making a mess on this fake knob," He teased, his heart pounding against his chest. "Makes me think you prefer this over mine." 

His head was pressing against her inner thigh, fascinated with how he was able to pleasure her with the toy without the use of his cock, but immensely excited at the sight, knowing that he did even better with his own, only using toys on her to intensify her pleasure, although he could admit that the feeling of a vibrator against his cock as he thrust himself inside of her was equally as pleasurable. He smirked as he watched her shake her head in disagreement with his statement, rewarding her with a kiss to the inside of her thigh as he continued his enjoyment of using the toy on her, knowing that a lot of her pleasure came from clitoral stimulation instead of vaginal, conquering this theory by also grabbing the regular vibrator from the drawer when he retrieved the other toy, knowing he'd be using it on her when he buried himself within her. 

"S-Simon," She panted, using her hand to remove the shirt from her mouth. "Need you inside of me." 

"Is that a command, love?" He replied, a smirk against her thigh. 

"I can make it one." 

"Let's hear it." 

She bit her lip, "Inside of me. Now." 

"I like when you get assertive with me, sweetheart." He replied, pressing a kiss to the inside of her knee before moving to sit on his knees, pleased to see the toy still inside of her without his grasp on it while he slid down his sweatpants, pumping himself once before using his right hand to slowly slide the toy from her, turning it off before setting it aside and using the same hand to turn his dog tags around his neck, the tags resting between his shoulder blades before he lined himself up with her entrance after sliding his length through her folds to lubricate himself, watching himself slide in without having to use his hand, nearly whimpering at the sensation he missed so much. He propped himself on his elbow with his left arm, bringing his right hand up to reveal her eyes, able to see the pleasure he was bringing to her. 

Her legs moved to wrap around his waist, moaning into his mouth as his thrusts were gentle, yet assertive, their tongues dancing with each other as if it were the last time. "Oh, Simon-" She panted, her hands splaying across the built muscle of his back, feeling them tense with every thrust, his entire torso nearly twice the size of hers, fully hiding her beneath him. 

"What is it, love?" He whispered into her jaw. 

"You-You're so...big." 

He chuckled at her remark, unable to resist the seemingly harsh thrust while he rolled his hips, feeling the skin of his hips making contact with hers, an almost-sticky sensation residing in its wake as he withdrew. 

"I like to think I am." 

"You should know." She whimpered, digging her nails into his back, opening her eyes briefly to make contact with his. 

"Better make sure you leave scratches if you're going to dig those pretty fingers in my back." 

She hummed in amusement at his filthy talk, biting her lip as she began to do as she was told, making it a personal mission to leave several scratches along his back from his tailbone all the way up to his shoulders. "Is that why you always insist for me to get my nails done?" 

"I wouldn't say I insist since you like having your nails done, but keep in mind that I always want you to get them done so you can leave scratches on me later." He teased, his right hand leaving her hip to feel for the single vibrator, using his thumb and index finger to grasp it as he turned it on, his mouth filling with her moan once it made contact with her clit, turning it upwards to find the perfect spot that wouldn't overstimulate her too quickly, finding the perfect rhythm to follow with every deep thrust, purposely rolling his hips as he did to hit her G-Spot every time. 

"Just like you're giving me your last name so I can scream your first?" She hummed, legs tightening around his waist. 

"Oh, how I like the sound of that. Fuckin' clever girl." 

They lay in immense passion, Simon whimpering every time he felt the spongy material with the tip of his cock every time it hit her G-Spot, his right hand nearly soaked in her natural stimulation, her nails digging crescents and leaving long welts along the thick muscle of his back, their lips dancing with each other, their teeth nearly making contact with every other deep kiss, a thin sheet of sweat appearing on them as the time went on...

Only to be interrupted by the ringing of Simon's phone from the nightstand, his head shooting up to fix his gaze on the screen, wondering who was calling. He stilled, sighing at the feeling of Kiera tightening around him as he reached for his phone, a mischievous grin appearing on his lips when he recognized it was Price calling him. Seeing that it was five minutes past seven o'clock, he pressed his hips tightly against her, pinning the vibrator between him and her clit, slowly rolling his hips to continue giving her pleasure, "Let's see how quiet you can be, yeah?" He whispered, watching her bite her bottom lip at the challenge ahead, watching him use his thumb to slide across the screen, putting it on speaker before laying it on the bed to resume using his right hand to dive between their hips, placing the vibrator back against her clit as his thrusts resumed to a devilishly and teasingly slow pace. 

"Yeah?" 

"Hey, mate, I wanted to let you know I was here. I didn't want to knock and risk the dog barking and waking up the kids." Price answered. 

He saw that Kiera was about to release another moan, shooting her a playfully threatening glare before she covered her own mouth and turning her head to the side just in case one slipped through her fingers, her other hand digging into his tattooed forearm. 

"Thanks," He answered, no evidence in his tone that he had been interrupted. "I'm coming." 

"Alright, Simon. I'll be right outside." 

"I'll be just a few minutes," He stated, feeling Kiera's thighs starting to tremble, letting him know that her orgasm was on the tide. "Just got out of the shower and need to change." 

"Take your time, mate. Is Kiera home from town?"

Yeah, she's right under me, Simon chuckled to himself. "She is. She's feeding Jacob right now. I'll be there in a minute." 

"Okay." 

He refrained from hanging up first, not wanting to risk Kiera losing sight of her orgasm. Instead, he held his own breath as he waited for Price to hang up first, letting his phone fall asleep before Kiera removed her hand from her mouth. "That was close." She panted. 

"Poor bloke was completely oblivious that I was railing you throughout the entire conversation," He chuckled, "But I know you're close." 

She nodded, moaning into his mouth once his lips returned. "Let it go, love." 

He felt her contract around him, her walls fluttering with the intense stimulation. "There you fuckin' go," He nearly whined, coaxing her through her much-needed orgasm. "Come all over it." 

She sighed, her eyes nearly rolling into the back of her head as she chased her high, Simon continuing his pace, nearly losing himself inside of her before he rapidly reminded himself to not release, knowing it would put her at risk. 

He felt how sensitive she was, removing the vibrator from her clit to continue thrusting so that he could withdraw and shower her stomach with his spend. That was, until she intrigued him with a request. "Come in my mouth, Simon." 

"Dessert before dinner, yeah?" He smirked. 

"Always." 

He withdrew, watching her move to where her head dangled over the edge of the bed, willingly opening her mouth and flattening her tongue as her hands clasped around the back of his thighs. She had never done this before, but it aroused him all the same as he imagined viewing the bulge of his cock in her throat. Bloody fuckin' hell.

She took him willingly, managing to twirl her tongue around him as he filled her mouth, Simon feeling her throat constrict as he pressed further with her guiding hands, releasing a slight gag at the semi-burning sensation, but he continued when she pulled him further. His mental image coming true, he saw the bulge of his cock within her throat, making him groan at the sight, watching her breasts recoil under his shirt with every slow thrust until he began to pick up a pace, that familiar flame in his loin growing hotter and hotter, his hands cupping her jaw as he continued to climb the mountain of ecstasy. 

After a few more thrusts, he stilled, filling her throat full of his spend, watching her willingly swallow him down as she sucked on him lightly as he slowly withdrew, a string of saliva connecting them as he began to grow flaccid. She hummed as she watched him enter the bathroom, returning with a damp cloth to rid the sticky sensation from between her thighs before he cleaned himself off, offering his hand to help her to her shaky legs, smirking at how her mascara pooled at the corners of her eyes. "Better go get that door, babe." 

He smirked, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips before readjusting his dog tags around his neck, scanning the floor and the bed for his clothes while Kiera dismissed herself to the bathroom to rid any evidence of sex, taking the two toys he had used on her to clean them and put them away. 

[annaphoenix1994]

Ch.30 - The Storm

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

Simon and Kiera share their first intimate experience; Teeter continues to antagonize Soap for pleasure; The team go fly fishing in the river.

"What's on your face, Soap?" Kiera snickered as he finally met up with them at the barn for the promised group ride that was heavily encouraged to continue the Christmas celebration. 

Alejandro snickered, seeing a stain of the marker on Soap's face from the prank Kiera and Simon had done to him the night prior. "That fuckin' elf," He grumbled, looking down to his feet, irritated that he wasn't able to get it off completely. "One of ye bastards did it, I know it." 

"What're you talking about?" Kiera shrugged, successfully hiding the smirk that was desperate to spread on her face. "Nobody messed with you last night." 

He scoffed, "Yeah, right. That thing doesn't move at night." 

"Where did you put it?" 

"I...I didn't touch it..." He replied, hesitant. I don't want that thing to kill me in my sleep, he thought, knowing the concern would arise a heavy laugh from the group. 

"Hey, looks like you had a rough night, baby." Teeter said from atop her horse, her heavy accent getting Soap's attention - per usual. 

"I don't remember it." 

"You could be up here on momma's lap, but that's alright." She grumbled, taunting him, rising a laugh from the rest of the group. 

A sly smirk plastered across his face as well as a flushed tone, "I'm good." 

"Yeah, ye say that now." 

"You ready, Johnny?" Kiera asked, handing him a set of leather reins. The horse was rather shorter than the rest - a bit older, too. "He'll go easy on you."

He sighed, "I guess. Haven't ridden a horse in years." 

"It's like riding a bike." 

"That's the thing, never rode a bike." 

"Well, you're about to learn. Simon's never ridden one and I put him on the youngest horse." She nodded towards the arena, watching Simon walk along the railing, desperately making himself relax in the saddle, making sure he wasn't about to complain about the pain in his groin. 

"An expert in explosives, yet a chap when it comes to riding a horse." Price poked from atop his borrowed horse, Soap and Kiera being the only two standing on the ground. 

"You got that right." Gaz commented. 

Knowing the playful taunting would spur him on, Soap took the reins from Kiera, swinging his leg over the saddle as if he'd done it his whole life, surprised that he looked to be a natural at it. "Don't go fast." He pleaded. 

"Oh, you're not, but I'm going to." She smirked, mounting her palomino. 

Soap looked around, seeing that both Kiera and Teeter had rifles tucked away in their scabbards that were strapped to their saddles. "Wh-We're carrying guns?" 

"Ye never know when a big ole bear'll come out and chase ya," Teeter answered him as if he had directed the question toward her. "Gotta be prepared to blow it's brains out." 

"Comforting." He grumbled. 

"I doubt we'll see a bear, but you never know," Kiera lightened his tension. "You'll be fine. It's a bit of a ride to the river, but I brought snacks!" She giggled, reaching back to pat her saddlebag. 

Working wranglers wandered around the ranch tending to chores, some of them on their horses as well to check on pastures on the other side of the ranch, Frankie being one to lead his team for the day. 

Kiera nudged her horse to a trot towards her cousin, informing him that they were going to be riding to the river and to not wait up, but to come looking if they weren't back by dinner. "Babe!" She said, catching Simon's attention, waving at him with her arm. "You comin'?" 

He nodded, turning his horse toward the direction of the open gate, his horse towering over Soap's. 

He liked that his horse was black, too. 

Kiera and Alejandro led the group, Fernando tucked snuggly between his father and the saddle horn, a smile taking up his entire face. Teeter stayed behind the group, keeping a close eye for any trouble.

As well as keeping an eye on Soap. 

"Hey, Monopoly Man," She snickered, watching him turn around atop his horse as the reins were dropped and he was clutching onto the saddle horn, his toes pointed down. "That old bastard'll throw ya the first chance he gets. Hold yer reins with one hand and put yer heels down." 

"Thanks for the tip." He grumbled. 

"Yer welcome, baby." 

"She's growing on you." Simon commented, keeping his horse close to Soap's. 

"No." 

"Hundred percent happening, mate." 

"No." Soap shook his head. 

"You said the same thing about me," Simon shrugged. "Just hope I'm around to see it." 

"You make it look easy." Soap commented, regarding his riding, desperate to change the subject.

"Believe me, I got a tutorial earlier, but someone was busy sleeping in and drawing on themselves." Simon teased. 

"It wasn't me! It was the elf!" 

"Thought you said it was one of us?" Simon arched his brow, chuckling at Soap's defeat.

*

Once the group arrived at the river, they were all in awe as the snow blanketed the shoreline perfectly. Simon had wished he brought the phone Kiera bought him for Christmas with him to take a picture of her with the landscape as the backdrop, but he didn't want to risk breaking it as he knew it was expensive. 

He was sure to wear the cologne she gifted him the next time they went out into town, wondering how she knew what his favorite brand was. 

She nudged her horse into the shallow river, Alejandro's following behind as Fernando was eager to continue with the ride, ignoring the countless pleas for him to calm down from his father. Price was next, handing Kiera one of the rods as she stayed atop her horse, readying the rod for fly fishing, Alejandro and Price both following suit. 

"Wish we could've done this in the summer, senora." Alejandro commented, a genuine smile on his face as he cast his line. 

"There's always next year," Kiera shrugged, casting her line. "It's prettier this time of year. May not catch anything, but at least I can say I did it." 

Simon watched her face gleam, regretting his decision to leave the new phone behind as he was sure to fill his camera roll with pictures of her, finding the tough decision of finding his favorite to set as his wallpaper, even though he felt nothing could top the photo of her he kept in his pocket on his uniform, never getting over that gleam of happiness in her eye. 

The three horses stood in the river relaxed as their riders cast lines from their backs, the rest of the group staying on the bank while Gaz took it upon himself to explore the area within a close radius. 

Soap and Simon were too nervous to continue forward. 

Teeter smirked as she dismounted her horse, ground-tying the mare as she pat Soap's leg as she walked past him, trudging through the snow to find a good spot to set up for the lunch Kiera had brought. 

Price puffed on a lit cigar as he enjoyed learning how to fly fish while Alejandro guided Fernando in casting his line, Kiera doing the same as she was hopeful she caught something, frowning as her line had caught on a rock, causing it to snap back to her horse, causing the gelding to spook and dart the other direction, nearly making her fall off, both Simon and Soap gasping as she had lost a stirrup. 

Simon was tense, hoping she could regain her balance in time before colliding with the frigid water, thankful that she was a natural equestrian. Instead of panicking, he sighed in relief as she filled the air with a laugh as her horse snorted at the action. "Isn't that something? Can shoot a gun and dally a steer, but freaks out at that." She laughed. 

"You never know with horses, senora," Alejandro chuckled, his arm wrapped around Fernando to keep him balanced, his other arm guiding Fernando's as he continued to learn how to cast a line. "One of mine that I had for years kicked me without warning. Guess he didn't like me that day." 

"That's right, you never know." 

"Always expect it to happen, but never assume that it won't." Price chimed, releasing a cloud of smoke from his cigar, seeming to be in a trance with the landscape before him.

"Hey, K," Teeter shouted. "This spot good?" 

Kiera nodded, "Just fine!" 

"A'right. I'll build a fire." 

"Surprised she trusts you to build one." Soap commented, eager to hear her accent again. 

"Hey, if you don't feel like I'm capable ye can always come help momma out." 

Simon chuckled, watching Soap blush. 

"No, you do your thing." 

Teeter stepped close to Simon's horse, patting the gelding on the shoulder before looking up at him. "I'd let that'n keep me warm any day." 

"Oh, I'm sure." Simon chuckled, knowing damn well Soap heard her. 

Her presence was knawing at him.

And not in a bad way. 

*

The group gathered around the fire, melted snow making a radius around the area as the group sat on the logs that Teeter and Gaz had drug from the woods, Gaz eager to learn the "cowboy way" and volunteered himself after she had mentioned it, wanting to use a rope for the first time from horseback. 

Kiera sat next to Simon on a log, Soap across from them as Teeter eventually moved closer and closer to him every time he looked away, finding his discomfort amusing to her. 

Kiera knew she liked to tease anyone who showed vulnerability to her, which made it more fun knowing that Soap was beginning to feel the same attraction to the wrangler.

Just he refused to show it.

Just like Simon did when he met Kiera.

Price took notice of this, finding it humorous to see two of his comrades falling in love within the same year. I'll be sure to go to their wedding, too, although that girl will probably kidnap a pastor, he mused to himself as their personalities were like night and day. 

Teeter puffed on Kiera's vape pen that she had given her, stretching her arm against the log as she and Soap were the only two sitting on the ground, given Soap liked to extend his legs out in front of him. As for Teeter, she sat with one knee to her chest and the other extended out close to his. "Ye wanna go skinny dippin' in the river?" She began. 

"No," Soap shook his head, furrowing his brows and looking across the fire to see Simon's mouth turning into a smirk, Kiera's face holding the same gesture. "Can you not see it's cold." 

"Makes it easy to see what I'm workin' with," Teeter snickered. "Ye wanna backrub?" 

"No." 

"Wanna give me'n?" 

"No." 

She leaned back against the log, "I got it. Ye don't like girls, do ya?"

"What?" 

"I bet you wanna piledrive one of them boys in the bunkhouse, huh?" 

Soap was confused at her words, but was rather intrigued by her wicked tongue, "No, I don't want to piledrive one of the guys." 

"Bullshit." She mumbled, her accent thick.

He sighed in defeat, bringing his hand up to rub his face, unaware that Teeter had been snickering silently to herself, the rest of the group doing the same. 

"Did you all put her up to this?" Soap asked Kiera and Simon.

"When she sees something she likes, she goes after it." Kiera giggled. 

"That's right," Teeter nodded. "I'd mount ye like a damn bull elk if ye gave me the chance." 

Soap blushed, "Bloody Jesus." 

He couldn't help but chuckle at her phrases, finding them weirdly attractive in a strange way. 

"Senora," Alejandro said, pointing at the sky after nudging her shoulder. "Looks like a band of bad weather. We should get going." 

"Oh, shit," She said, darting to her feet. "Yeah, we don't want to get stuck in that, especially with Fernando." 

*

A sheet of fresh snow fell from the heavy clouds, making it hard to see what was ahead as the group was rushing to get back to the ranch, leaving no choice but to canter through the snow. Alejandro laughed along with Fernando, the boy having the time of his life as his father held him securely to the saddle as the horse loped. Soap did his best to hold on, making himself keep one hand on the reins and keeping his heels down to stabilize himself, hearing Teeter's encouraging words as well as teasing phrases to him as Simon laughed at his struggles. 

Once back to the ranch, they all piled into the barn as both Kiera and Teeter helped quickly un-tack the horses and put them into a dry stall, Fernando being the first to want to lend a helping hand in throwing in flakes of hay for the horse he rode. "Its'a comin' down hard out there, baby," Teeter began to poke at Soap, loving how his cheeks flushed. "Can really take advantage of the cold to keep warm." 

"I'd rather freeze." He mumbled. 

She chuckled, "Ye say that now." 

"I'll always say it." 

*

Kiera and Simon trudged through the snow that led to her house, Simon ensuring that she was inside the warmth of her home first, the smell of burning logs filling his senses as the flame in the fireplace was low as it ate away at the last log. "I'll go get some more wood." He said to her, watching her remove her coat and beanie.

"I'm going to take a shower before I start dinner. I'm freezing." She said, her teeth chattering. 

"Okay, love." 

He placed two more logs into the fire after removing his coat and insulated jeans, taking them into the laundry room as they were soaking wet with snow. Warming his hands by the fire, he sat in the lounge chair close to the fire after getting the phone she had gotten him from the bedroom, eager to play the game Gaz had shown him. It took him a while to learn how to operate the smartphone, but it didn't take him long. 

Within a few minutes, he heard Kiera open the door from the bathroom, rummaging around in the bedroom before coming to him in the living room. He didn't acknowledge her presence right away with a glance as he assumed she was multitasking as she always preferred to let her hair air-dry. 

And he was distracted with the racing game Gaz had helped install on his phone.

He felt her presence getting close to him, causing him to look away from the screen for his eyes to lock onto her - a towel still clutching around her torso and her wet hair draping over her shoulders. His breath shuddered. Fucking hell, he said to himself, knowing that soon, a familiar strain was about to remind him of how badly he wanted her. "Distracted?" She smirked. 

"I am now," He replied, setting the phone in his lap as he couldn't decipher whether the fire was causing his skin to get hot or her presence alone. "Have a good shower?" 

"Absolutely. I'm thawed out." She giggled, admiring the sight of him below her on the chair, his thighs spread to take up space as well as comfort to accommodate his massive frame. She watched his breath hitch as he looked up at her, the glow from the fire complimenting his tan skin, his eyes holding a fire of their own. "But, I'm still cold." 

"I can fix that." He commented, the strain behind his pants begging for any sort of relief. Fucking wait, Simon. 

She smirked, moving to straddle his lap as her left hand kept the towel clasped while her other hand gripped his shoulder. She knew he was hard, but she also knew she was teasing him. Her fingers moved his short hair away from his face, still wet from being in the snow as his eyes stayed on her lips, watching the tip of her tongue peek from between her lips as his hands rested on her thighs, the pads of his index fingers on the hem of her towel, ready to rip it off at her request. "You drive me fuckin' mad." He husked, his gaze following the enticing trail of her hot skin from her cheek all the way to her neck, his lips begging to place kisses there. 

"I always saw you as the type of man to keep collected within any situation." She giggled, leaning closer to press a kiss to his forehead, her breasts almost eye-level with him. Move that fuckin' towel. Please. 

"You make it hard to." He rasped, his fingers flexing against the bare skin of her thighs. 

"Oh, I noticed." She giggled, her left hand tightening on her towel as her other hand cupped his cheek, the growing stubble tickling her palm as she watched him blush for once. 

"Can't help it, love. Look at you." 

"I don't like looking at myself." 

"More for me to look at, then," He breathed, making the first move to place a kiss on her hot lips. "Fuckin' mad you drive me, love." 

His eyes made a visual trail from her sternum to her core, imaging how it would look if they were joined intimately. The thought himself made him flex. He was rather fond of this game she was playing, but he was ready to throw in the winning chips at her request. "Is that right?" She whispered against his lips, his eyes closing at the sensation, a few moments passed by before he realized both of her hands were on him - one on his cheek and the other around his shoulder. 

She released the towel from her body. 

It opened in the front while the rest stayed draped over her back. 

He was almost afraid to open his eyes, knowing that the arousal he was fighting before was about to be twice as hard at the sight of her naked body straddling his. Her lips moved to his cheek, making a trail of their own as she moved to kiss his neck, something she had never done until now. 

It drove him wild. 

His hand grasped the now-loose towel, removing it completely from her body before letting it fall to the floor, revealing her entirely nude body on top of him - littered with scars of her own and complemented with stretch marks. Bloody perfect, he thought, his hands traveling up her thighs and to the small of her back, desperate to pull her down onto him. "I'm afraid I'll ruin you, love," The words sounded of retreat rather than insecurity, his breathing heavy as he traced his fingers over the new scars on her back, terrified that he would hurt her. He wanted her so fucking bad, especially now. "Are you sure it's what you want?" 

Her lips lingered on his neck before returning to his mouth, placing a delicate kiss there that felt like a hesitant wave of a green flag. "Fucking ruin me, babe." 

He smirked, his grip tightening on her thighs and moving his hands to where they grasped under her buttocks. In one swift motion, he was on his feet, Kiera giggling as her grip tightened around his shoulders as her lips peppered kisses on his neck, knowing it drove him crazy. "You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, sweetheart." 

"I look forward to it." She grumbled against his neck, digging her nails into the tense muscle of his shoulders. 

"We'll see what you're saying in an hour." 

"An hour?" She sighed, her eyes widening. 

"I can go longer."

"Oh, to be the one you discovered that with." She teased. 

"You're about to be the last."