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Admittedly, self quarantining hadn't been that bad of an experience for you. In fact, it made you feel more than a little guilty. That while you were cooking meals, binging Netflix, and cuddling with the love of your life. People were sick, losing their jobs, and even dying.
But the way the two of you were living, It was your idea of paradise...that was until the both of you cleared out your Netflix queue.
Then things got a little rough. Arthur was a man of action, and not having anything to do had made him stir crazy. He was quicker to argue, and sometimes he’d say things without fully thinking them through.
He would always apologize profusely, even when it wasn’t necessary. You knew him, and knew that this was really hard on him. Besides, he never hurt you the way he always assumed he did. He was too hard on himself.
One time it was a little argument over a mug you loved. He had put in the dishwasher, when you’d always carefully hand wash the item.
He’d called it a ‘stupid mug’, and you, being locked up and slightly stir crazy yourself, started to tear up. He apologized on and off for the next hour, and promised to do the dishes for the next month.
A promise that so far he’d fulfilled.
Then you made the grave mistake, one that you’d regret for the next TEN days, you turned it to a local PBS station and got Arthur obsessed with a damn ten-part horse documentary.
They were an hour and forty five minutes a piece. And it wasn’t really that the footage was so boring, it was the narration. The man’s voice was calming, almost too calming, and would put you to sleep within minutes. You’d awake to the sound of the man's voice only to find Arthur still enthralled.
Which, all of this didn’t sound like a big deal, but it threw off your sleep schedule. And when you're stuck inside, with nothing to watch, sleep becomes something you really looked forward to.
And so, it became his nightly ritual to eat his dinner, wash all the dishes, put on his oversized comfy lounge pants, and sprawl out on the couch to watch another episode of the documentary.
On the fourth night of the documentary you had reached your limit. You just could not take one more second of his old monotone voice, and you searched the internet for something to entertain you...or rather something that you could buy, you should say.
It was then you came upon the new Animal Crossing game. You had played it when you were younger and really enjoyed it, so without overthinking it you added it to your cart, paid a little extra for overnight shipping (you desperately needed it before tomorrow night), and purchased it.
After making sure you received your email receipt, you stood from the couch, stretched a little, and kissed Arthur on the top of his head.
He tore his eyes from the television and looked up at you. “You goin’ to bed so early?”
“Yeah, I’m feeling a little tired.”
He moved to stand but you gently pushed him back down. “Finish your show.” You bent down and kissed him lovingly on the mouth.
“I can pause it and save it for tomorrow.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and any other night you would have pulled him to the bedroom, but you were NOT prolonging your torture for another night.
“No! I mean no, I don’t really feel well. Kinda got a headache.”
He frowned and reached up to feel your forehead. “You need me to run to the store to get ya sumthin’?”
You smiled. “No, I’m fine, really just need some sleep.” You yawned trying to convince him.
You were apparently an ok actor. “Well alright. You let me know if ain’t feelin’ good sweetheart.”
“I will, I promise.”
When he nodded satisfied with your answer, and pressed play, you almost ran to your bedroom.
The next day you spent not so patiently waiting for your package. Just after you put away the sandwich stuff that you used to prepare lunch, you got the notification that it was delivered.
You ran to the door almost dropping your phone, and retrieved your small box. You ripped through the packaging and waited for it to load on your switch.
And just as Timmy and Tommy were welcoming you to the game, Arthur walked in hair wet and slicked back, wearing nothing but a towel. He smelled fresh and amazing, just as he always did.
“I thought I heard the door slam.”
“You did, it’s fine. I just got a package.” You didn’t look up as you were reading the instructions on the small screen. To be honest you didn’t want to get distracted, and before you was one hell of one.
He frightened you a little as he bent over you curious as to what you were doing.
“It’s just a little game that I wanted to play. Figured it would be a great time since I’m stuck here.”
Taking one look at the graphics you could tell he wanted to make fun of you by the way he opened and closed his mouth a few times.
You decided to stop him short, not wanting another stupid argument. “I played it when I was a kid. It's super nostalgic for me.”
His nod was one of understanding and thanks, glad that he didn’t start something from nothing.
And that’s the last you really paid attention to anything for hours, until he brought you a plate of hot tacos.
You looked up red eyed and confused. “What time is it?” You looked around for your phone.
He handed it to you and chuckled. “Goin’ on eight. Thought you might be hungry.”
You gave a playful pout as your stomach growled smelling the delicious looking food.
“Game must be really good.”
You nodded with a mouthful of taco. A little embarrassed that you ate half of it in one bite. But happy that he knew exactly how you liked yours prepared.
“What’s it about?”
You swallowed. “Eh, nothing really. You just kind of build things and help friends out”.
“Oh well, I’m glad you're having fun.” He said without any malice.
“Gosh Arthur these tacos are amazing.” You took another large bite.
He chuckled lightly “It’s like you say, things always taste better when you don’t make them.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t help. I know it’s been our thing since...”
He raised his hand in dismissal. “You cook all the time for me. It is the least I could do for you. ‘Sides you looked like you were really having a good time.”
Your face flushed slightly. Had he been watching you? You knew you did that thing where you bit your bottom lip when you concentrated. It made you a little self conscious, but he would have none of that.
“You sure are beautiful, you know that?” He gently moved a piece of hair from your forehead.
“Arthur…”
“I mean it. You’re absolutely perfect. Can’t believe I’m so lucky.” He shook his head in amazement.
You were at a loss for words so you replied with the only thing you knew he needed to hear. “I love you so much Arthur.”
He reached down and kissed you hard. Sometimes words weren’t enough for him. He was after all, a man of action.
Things were getting heated, your tacos forgotten, when an alarm started blaring.
You looked at him in a daze and giggled softly. “It’s time for your program.”
He slowly opened his eyes and sighed. “Yep.”
He stared at you looking drugged by your beauty.
You smacked his arm playfully. “Watch your ponies.”
That sobbered him up. “They ain’t ‘ponies’ they are stallions and mustangs, and..”
“I’m joking.” You cut him short saving his lecture for later you were sure. “Hurry you're going to miss some of it.”
He turned the TV on, and you excitedly picked your game back up. So focused on it, you never heard a word the boring old man said.
It was late. Real late. You hadn’t played a game through the night since you were in high school. But as you admired your island, you felt that it was worth it.
You looked to the otherside of the couch and saw that Arthur hadn’t wanted to leave you. He was sprawled out breathing heavily, obviously deep in sleep.
The sun was rising and you thought it a better idea just to leave him be. He’d be up soon anyhow. You plugged your game in to charge and went to get a couple hours of sleep.
It was around lunch time when you awoke. You hated sleeping in but then again, where did you have to be?
After showering, and brushing your hair and teeth, you groggily made your way to make some coffee.
When you entered the hallway you heard your game. Worried that you had left it on you hurriedly entered the room, and to your surprise, were met with the sight of Arthur, brows furrowed, deep in concentration playing your game.
You smiled wickedly at the sight and cleared your throat loudly.
He jumped like he had just been shot and placed your game quickly on the coffee table. “Oh god! You scared me.” He placed his hand on his chest for dramatic effect.
You walked over to him slowly, hands on your hips, and tried your best to look angry. “Now what were you just doin’?”
“I, I…”
“You what?”
“I was just curious is all.” He nervously ran his hand through his hair.
“Curious?”
“Well, yeah. You were havin’ so much fun, I just wanted to see what it was about. Ya know?”
His voice sounded so innocent and his eyes looked so wide from shock. Arthur Morgan wasn't used to getting caught.
You really shouldn't do it but you couldn't help it, you started laughing. So hard that you actually had to bend over.
He stood up placing his hands on his hips. His hair was an absolute mess, sticking up from all angles, and he actually attempted to look at you seriously.
Which, of course, made you laugh harder. So hard that tears started streaming down your face.
There was something about this large, handsome, intimidating man, sneaking your switch and waiting until you were asleep to play Animal Crossing. And then getting caught all while being extremely embarrassed about it.
Either he finally started to see the humor in it, or perhaps he got joy out of seeing you so happy, he too started to laugh.
He walked to you and hugged you tightly, then playfully threw you onto the couch. Neither of you stopped laughing for a while, not until your sides were splitting and you could take no more.
He nuzzled your neck. “I’m real sorry I played your game without permission.”
You briefly chuckled while stroking his muscular arm. “No you're not.” You whispered back.
“Alright, I’m sorry that I got caught.”
You both kept laughing until, still tired from the previous night, you fell asleep in each other's arms.
A loud alarm woke you both. You snatched his phone from the side table mercifully stopping the noise.
He mumbled. “Don’t worry it's recording.”
You sighed heavily.