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He wouldn’t consider himself one for romantic things, at all. Especially with the whole Valentine's Day thing. But this year, he felt different.
It was so difficult, though. Picking out something to give to Arthur. He wanted it to be meaningful, not like some cheap pocket watch or something.
He even went to some of the girls in camp for advice on what to give him, and they all told him to go with something he knew Arthur would like.
So he settled on a drawing. It was a stupid idea. He only realised that at the last minute when he stared at the picture for too long, art was definitely not his thing.
He practiced for a little bit before he started drawing Arthur, but it still looked off. He tried to get all of his features and make it somewhat look like him. He started to think that Arthur was some art god or something, because no matter how long he sat there for, and how long he tried to make it perfect, it never ended up the way he wanted it.
He finally ‘finished’ it, knowing that would be the best it would get. He folded the edges over a few times, making sure it was folded in a way that Arthur would have to open it to see the drawing.
He went around where Arthur would usually be sitting and where he usually saw him when he wasn't in camp. It was just out of camp, in the forest, and around a small open area. John knew he liked the peace and quiet there.
Sure enough, he was there, alone. John caught his eye. He was cleaning his hunting knife.
He considered, for a moment just throwing it away entirely and going into town to buy something from the shop. But hopefully Arthur would see it in a different way he did.
“Hey.” He sat down on the log next to him, shifting closer.
“What’re you doing out here?”
Arthur ran his finger along the blade, “Was gonna go huntin’.” he started, putting the knife back into its sheath. “Later though, maybe.”
They sat in silence for a moment before John finally made his move.
“I was just thinking,” John reached into his pocket and hesitantly pulled out the paper. “I got— or, I made you something."
Arthur looked down at the paper and then at him, playfully teasing him with a smile. “Valentines?” He assumed that was what it was for, although it was early. “Never took y’for that.”
“Well, it ain't very good so don’t go thinkin’ its gonna be some masterpiece,” John dodged Arthur’s previous question and played around with the corner of the paper before handing it out to give it to him, despite his feelings towards it.
“Here.” He quietly said, waiting for Arthur to take it off him.
He did, giving him a strange look before slowly opening it, questioning what it could be. then a warm smile spreading across his face as he opened it.
“This your way of askin’ me if I wanna be your valentine?”
John looked down and played with the grass with his boot. He thought for sure arthur hated it.
“Not gonna answer that..."
Arthur smiled at him, using his other hand closely pull John in against him. He softly kissed him, putting his hand on his cheek against his stubble. “I love it.”
He pulled John onto his lap, immediately crashing his lips into his. Subtly grinding against him. John ran a hand through his soft brown hair, lightly tangling his fingers between.
“I’ll have to get y’something...” Arthur broke the kiss, tugging on John’s neckchief and gently sucking on his neck.
"Alright, before someone come see us.” He got off Arthur’s lap, sitting back on the wood. This spot wasn’t exactly hidden well enough by the trees to continue, still a clear view of camp.
“Ya really liked it? I…hated it.” John noticed Arthur still looking at the paper, neatly folding it back up.
“Yeah, I did.”
“Think you should draw more,” Arthur leaned over to get his journal out of his satchel and said then put the paper in it. “I mean I could teach ya more...if you wanted.” John paused then smiled at him and hugged him again, nuzzling his head into Arthur’s neck.